Where are the family values?I wonder at times how awesome this nation would be if there was more emphasis on family values. With all the new technology and single-parent families, it’s hard to find quality time for the family but it is definitely possible if you believe it’s important.Respect! No matter how old, smart, rich or popular children get they should never reach a point where children of any age disrespect their own parents. I know that parents do not know everything. Parents make plenty of mistakes, personally and as parents. I don’t know anybody who has never made a mistake in life and I seriously doubt that I ever will. However, children need to remember to be more forgiving toward their parents and vice versa. Families teach this level of kindness.Just the other day I witnessed a 12 year-old girl curse her mother for coming to talk with a teacher at her school. That child knew more foul words then a drunk sailor.Throughout the day I couldn’t get that scene out of my mind. Where did she learn to speak such harsh language at such a young age? Who are her role models? How did she learn to have so little respect for her mother? What will happen when they get home, where families usually gather?I was raised in a household where six out of seven days of the week there was no gathering at the dinner table to eat supper. Dinner was usually on the stove, and whenever a member of my family found time to eat, it was popped in the microwave for a couple of minutes and we were off. At times I would go days without seeing or speaking to my pops, because of our busy schedules. This is not a attempt to knock my pops for the way he raised four healthy, beautiful boys by himself, but I can imagine how much greater my childhood would have been if we just took the time to at least eat one meal together each day.I remember my father saying, “No matter what happens, you boys have to look out for each other, because after I die no one else will.” He gave us this short spiel every time he finished spanking us for fighting amongst ourselves.My father’s punishments and spankings helped mold my character. He took the time to care about me.I believe in marriage and its importance in establishing family values. Things may not work out in a marriage, but even in divorce there are a couple of issues that usually need to be addressed: custody and child support.Family reunions are very helpful in strengthening and bringing together family members who might not otherwise cross paths. Two dinners on Christmas and Thanksgiving won’t do much good in bonding a family together. Think about it, two days out of 365 a year is suppose to keep a family in tune with each other. Yeah right!The smell of barbecue, families laughing and playing at cookouts brings a smile to my face. I love to see big hugs and kisses going around at family gatherings.Family values need to be the number one priority when raising kids. If a kid is taught good home values, everything else will fall right into place. Teachers and friends are not to blame when children do wrong. Some of the blame has to be placed on the parent’s shoulders. Parents should be role models for their kids, and set good examples on respect, responsibility and love.
Carl Walker is a Lantern guest columnist.
