A nation that just doesn't care?

Question

It seems like people in this world have lost some morals, and even more will be lost on their children. When I was a child, I was taught to be kind, pick up after myself, etc. Now that I'm in the working force, I'm hard pressed to see children with the same set of values, and it's even harder to find a parent that will enforce them. While working at a grocery store, I'd find half eaten things everywhere that had been picked up by a child, but left by an irresponsible parent. At my time at a theater, I'd see children start to pick up their trash, only to have the mother yell, "Leave stuff there!". What's up with that? No morals, or extremely poor ones. What's happening here?

Answer 1

It ussually beacuse they werent ready for kids at the age, and just become friends instead which is totally wrong.

But not all kids are like that.  I have seen some bright nice kids while i am umpiring.  

Answer 2

Some parents are just dumb, not all just some. Real parents teach their kid manners and are there for their children.  

Answer 3

i disagree with one poster that said "real parents ...." it is just lazy people i personally want my children to be responsible and to pick up after themselves but if some parents do not that does not mean they are not "real parents" but i do think it makes them lazy and rude and they are setting very very bad examples for their kids..but in my personal opinion the world is c**p now these days...and i do hope it gets better

Answer 4

You and me both!  I see this a lot and it's not really all that new.  Society is becoming more and more accepting of teen pregnancies, teen s*x, free-reign parenting, and permissiveness.  They don't teach their children to respect others and others' property, but rather rely on the schools to do it.  Basically parents are not being parents...they are being friends and pals.  Parents like the mom you described will have children that grow up to believe that the world is there to serve them and that they don't have to take responsibility for their actions.  It's quite sad and it's a vicious continuing cycle.

Answer 5

You can still teach your child morals if you're their 'friend', it's laziness not wanting to  be friends.

A lot of parents these days are just lazy and leave their kids to be raised by the TV, they  also aren't respectful to anyone so naturally their kids most likely wont be.

I know I can have a good relationship with my kids and still teach them to be respectful people.

My mom managed it and I've met more people my age who's parents are their friends and they are very respectful to others.

I know my kids will have manners and respect, my husband and I both want that.

"I'm a single Mom and it's so hard to get the children to act right without a father"

People really say that? My mom raised me by herself for 18 years and I was very respectful and had manners, see it's laziness!!!

Answer 6

I completely understand where you are coming from. i used to work at a fast food restaurant and people would just leave food and tray all over the tables and it just seems that they tried to make the biggest mess they could. I just bought a house and kids are using my yard as a race track and cutting through yards to go from the back alley to the front yards.... and guess who they are learning it from, their parents, and the parents don't say anything when they see their kids doing it! I remember when I was little that if I ever went on someones yard without being asked I was usually given a good firm talking to and usually had some form of punishment which made me not want to do it.

Answer 7

US "culture" has been on the down slide for many, many years. Every year somehow manages to top (bottom?) the one before. If you live abroad for a few years it kinda smacks you in the face when you come back. And, as you've noticed, the older you are the more years you have with which to compare then and now, and so the contrast seems even more stark.

Contributing factors? Too many to mention, and every crackpot has their own crackpot theories. Let me just leave you with a nugget of wisdom I heard on TV recently.

"Have higher standards for yourself, have lower standards for others"

In other words, do not allow the low standards of others to bring your own standards down. Also, by expecting lower standards from others you will not be disappointed, disgusted, annoyed, or upset. You have control over your own self-respect, but you cannot control the self-respect that others have for themselves.

"Have higher standards for yourself, have lower standards for others"

If everyone followed that advice, imagine how the world might change.

And by the way, there are many countries, perhaps even most countries, that do maintain high standards of morals and ethics, both personal and public. Japan leads the way in that regard. We have a lot to learn from them.

Answer 8

And america wonders why their are so many juvenile delinquents with no respect nowadays. In my day I would never think of disrespecting and/or back talking my teachers/the police or any authority figure. I had fights and disagreements with my folks but I always honored and respected my parents and my elders. Children learn from example and they need their parents to be just that, PARENTS. Too many absent Fathers and Mothers letting TV and the Computer raise their kids.

Too many parents wanting to be friends with their children and be politically correct rather than disciplining and correcting their children so that they learn how to be productive citizens and how to behave properly in their public and private lives.

Parents need to stop being so frikin scared and lazy, letting their kids run wild and doing as they please. Parents need to be firm and tough and take on more responsibility and take control of their households.

Children are rebellious by nature and must be guided with firm but loving discipline. I am not saying to beat your child into submission so that they are afraid of you, I am saying that kids need role models.....REAL role models, and those role models should be their parents.

Stop letting the schools, the government, and juvenile detention guide, mold, teach, raise and discipline your kids. Be an adult for Gawd sakes and raise YOUR KIDS!

Answer 9

Try working at the school!  The children are horrible!  I want to take them all home and give them all a good spanking!  I have two daughters that are 10 and 11 years old.  They aren't angels, but they are very respectful, always saying yes ma'am, no ma'am, thank you, please, and so on.   They know that if they were disrespectful I'd hang them by their toenails!  I don't understand why parents aren't real parents anymore.  

Oh, and the "I'm a single Mom and it's so hard to get the children to act right without a father" is a load of bull!  I've raised my children alone for the past 9 years, and they know when Mom means business.

Answer 10

the world is being taken over by bogans!

Answer 11

its a trend.  parents now want to be 'friends' with their children because its easier to be a friend than a parent.  

Answer 12

Today I went to buy groceries and there was a child in the store that was running the isles yelling and screaming. He was with both his mother and grandmother and the grandma says "If you don't behave yourself I'm going to take you to the bathroom and spank your butt" She said this as I was walking by and I was thinking, s***w the bathroom beat his a**. The mother just seemed to not care that her child was disrupting the entire store. I hate it when parents don't make their children behave!!!!!