Children are not adults for a reason.

Children deserve their own space but to an extent of knowing what they are doing. Children are young and learning for a reason. They shouldn’t be given the same privilege as most adults are with privacy. Most children don’t know the difference between rights and wrongs which is why they shouldn’t be given the same amount of privacy as adults. In the newer generations uprising, and learning how to grow they go through many obstacles that will make or break them. From experience with my own obstacles I watched many whom I love fail, and fail, and fail again. They didn’t learn until they had none. The newer generations and the newest generation of parents is a learning experience for everyone. From the elders and older generations many will say they are doing it wrong and they need to do better. Life is a lot different then what it was when they were new parents. For the new world we live in, we just have to change the ways we teach our and the way we guide them through this life.

In this world children need guidance and positive roll models. Children need real schedules and real meals. The healthier the life style the easier to provide healthy life examples. In my life as I grow into the women I want to be, it’s hard breaking unhealthy habits. I would say the impact that my mother had on my life was a big enough example of what not to do. I can say I am very proud of her for being clean, however the damage that was caused was an eye opener and made me want to do more of what life offers. Children don’t deserve to suffer because you weren’t ready to be a parent. Through the growing of social media and the wide variety of entertainment platforms it is hard to guide your kids through the rights and wrongs.

Social media and the expansion of platforms makes it harder for children to get useful, non-mind eating electronics learning. In schools most learning and assignments are on laptops, or ipads, sometimes even their cell phone. In the older generation they used books and paper and pencil. It was simple and not mind controlling activities. The internet isn’t always good stuff either, children can learn inappropriate and harmful acts through social media. Children in the younger ages should not be rewarded with technology or given it to quiet down. Technology is the key to what parents use to keep their kids distracted so they can have “me” time. It is an unhealthy way of distraction, Kids should be given toys, given outside playtime, books, learning activities. There are many healthy and fun ways to keep kids entertained. The difference between generations is what makes this new life harder for older folks.

The old generation will most likely always judge and have their own opinions on the new lifestyle most live. The adults now have different mindsets and had different experiences growing up, which is why all generations are different. With everyone growing up with different experiences and obstacles they had to overcome, everyone is going to have a different outlook on how they view the world and how to raise their children. The older generation likes to focus on older ways to teach, to discipline, and the standards they hold. The standards they had for their children is what broke many and changed how they wanted to raise children. Some came from parents who were abusive and changed their entire outlook on life and how to treat others. Leaving children with just anyone is a risk most wouldn’t take. The topic is very sensitive to most but a very important issue to watch out for when leaving children around just anyone. Most of everything learned is taught from experience.

As I turn 18 this year I can reflect on what I have learned from life so far, and what I can look forward too. In this life that I am creating for myself, I hope to give my children the mother I never had. I hope to give them the feminine guidance and advice I needed when I was 12. I will break the toxic and unhealthy ways I have learned to cope and deal with emotions, and I will teach healthy ways when it comes time. In my past I did things I had to learn from and many things that had shaped me into the woman I am today and going to be in the future. My children will get their privacy but to an extent.

The privacy for children is an argument that can be talked about in many different ways. The different ways of punishment and discipline for children has changed, and laws have been put in place. The older generation has a lot to say on what newer parents do wrong, and they will have their judgment. Social media is a huge take on how children see the world and behave, whether or not the platform is positive it can still lead to children acting out when they don’t have electronics. Children need all the guidance they can get their emotions should be taught how to be taken care of correctly, personal hygiene is a crucial part of learning. How to take care of the body and healthy ways to cope when something goes wrong. Children deserve their space but they deserve to be guided as well. After all they aren’t adults yet for a reason.

“Parents Are Responsible For Their Children” by Mariana Wagner is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.