Teenagers, allow your parents to train you

The Bible in Proverb 22:6 enjoins parents to train children in the right way, such that when they grow up, they will not give up the proper training they received. The essence of training is not only in academics. A lot of parents sent their children to foreign countries without proper training. Some turned out well, while some did not bring back laurels. There are other needed requirements to groom a child to take up responsibility. That basic instruction points to spiritual, emotional and obeying parental instructions for life equipment.

Somehow, it seems the interpretation is gradually departing from most homes because of the attitudes of some children. I refuse to join the bandwagon of the so-called Generation Z, commonly referred to as GenZ. For whatever name branded, they are children given birth like the olden days. In a heated argument in the newsroom, one of the days, some colleagues are of a strong opinion that blame should no longer be heaped on parents about their children’s irresponsibility. While some insist that some parents should share in the punishment for raising poorly behaved children when they misbehave.

As the argument progressed, my colleague, Vivian Onyebukwa, made a statement that stuck with me: “The days when someone would say, ‘this child was not trained’ have gone. The obvious thing now is, ‘Did the child allow his or her parents to train her?”

She was apparently asking if the children hearken to their parent’s advice. Are they giving a listening ear to their parents? Are they ready and willing to receive the words of wisdom and life from parents? Are they willing to heed to the character formation from parents? Have they decided to shut their ear drums to virtues to embrace vices?

Well, interestingly, many parents are battling various challenges from their children. Apart from the spirit of get-rich-quick-syndrome; the beastly spirit that manifests in them is scary. A visit to the recently viral video from Igbinedion Secondary school is one of such. On interaction with many other parents, some claimed they could not watch it more than once due to the callous nature the boys displayed in handling their fellow classmate. The kick and flog saw the victim-boy break his nose and waist. To think that these are secondary school boys who were not up to 20 years, who are expected to be leaders of tomorrow calls for sober reflection? Some called for the parent’s heads for raising poorly behaved boys; while others felt the young teenagers should face the law no matter how young. Some others insist that the boys are minors who should be punished mildly.     

However, that the devilish spirit got into the young generation is a story for another day. Only God knows who taught them that Other needs include diamond jewelries, perfumes and more. In their entire quest to get all worldly attention, both young boys and girls go into all sorts to live a ‘soft life’ according to them. They refuse to allow their parents to train them. Every thread in their mind runs through one line ‘to be rich at all cost without stress.’

Now, the political era is here again; politicians who have been allegedly accused of many illegalities from syphoning and looting constituency funds to clearing the way for who is on the road; know it that you are part of the problem to the young people. They have seen from most of you that education has almost become a scam. Instead irregularities  and illegalities now rule the world. Illiteracy and a bunch of criminals have become the role models.’ Many years ago, role models used to be accomplished men and women who are upright in character with no blemish in integrity. Today’s politicians could be described as a colony and gang-up of looters holding the nation to ransom even as the extravaganza passes on. The narratives have been changed and the young ones are looking forward to their looting opportunities; passing on the touch indeed! 

The so-called Nigerian celebrities, artistes, influencers, entertainers should take it easy while showcasing their wealth on social media. Only if some of the youths know that most posts on social media are deceptive. Some of the luxury cars, jewelry and clothes are borrowed items. They are called ‘wear and return.’

Celebrities, both men and women could be honest in their dealings. You must not celebrate your wealth on social media to distract the young ones. 

Young ones who see their parents as old school are on the wrong side of life. A friend told me how her teenage daughter does not have time for her own grand-parents. Nancy said to her daughter “In our growing days, from age sixteen when we wrote our West African Examination Council (WAEC) we were in total control of the home. Our mother just supervises us. We do all chores and prepare all the meals obediently, yet, read our books.

To prosperity preachers, the young ones are looking up to you. When most messages are about wealth without source; the young ones are learning fast from you. Preaching about wealth without any means of livelihood is bad. Women church goers who sleep and wake up in church while abandoning their home, be careful.

Instead of jobless members being encouraged to fix themselves and see God multiply their effort, they are asked to come to church and pray. One hardly hears heavenly messages of the old that leads to sober reflection. There have been allegations of men in the pulpit who fornicate more than their congregants, and the young ones are watching them. Some have been in handcuffs for one crime or the other, with the teenagers copying fast.

Role models who are passing wrong messages through their wealth flaunting, you are not free from the ills of the society. Most of the messages from you are not pure. They are rather misleading the young ones. 

Smooth motivational speakers, men and women who deviate from encouraging others to work hard, instead, tell them how to move a mountain to make money cunningly thereby empowering them to steal.

Dear young ones, though it has been rough and tough with the present economy and environment, you can turn into a new leaf. You can have a mindset reset. Those who have shed blood already for ritual purposes; I hope you know there is no way one can kill and go scot free. The crime and criminals might tarry, but it both shall surely be arrested.

There are young ones who killed openly, those who commit suicides, kindly consider your parents.

There are a good number of you who are lazing up and down, idling away while their mates are serious in their studies and skills, know it that time waits for no one. Those who are cyber-crime experts desist from it because the long arm of the law will surely catch up with you. Next, the convict lives in shame and regret all the days of his or her life.

There is nothing as good as keeping one’s hands clean as an adage says ‘Good name is better than wealth.’ Do not be proud of what you know, because there are things that others know which you do not know; most importantly, allowing your parents to train you is your safe place.