Are Children Passionless Because of Us?

They used to say that children learn who to be from their parents. Parents are meant to instill in their children their set of values, morals, and manners.

However, these days, parents don’t seem to have the time to teach these imperative lessons, or they just don’t want to. Nowadays, kids are being raised by electronics, especially cell phones and the telephone. We’re sitting children down in front of the television to absorb a mass of information when they’re at their spongiest.

Children Need Attention

Kids under the age of five are tiny little sponges, sucking up everything they see and hear. This was all well and good when what they were hearing was their parents working with them to learn vocabulary skills or how to set a table. What they’re seeing these days is their parents’ attention being given to their phones.

I can’t tell you the number of women I’ve seen ignore their children in stores because they’re too busy texting or on a call. Cell phones may be destroying what we used to know, but we forgive it because of the convenience they’re provided in recent years.

What has happened, with the generation raised by the TV, is that these kids have grown up to do exactly what they’ve seen; stare at their cell phones. They care more about Snapchat streaks than they do about game-changing legislation that has actually happened during their lifetimes. They’re so focused on showing their stuff off on Instagram that they’ve checked out of everything else.

The New Normal for Children

There are teenagers out there who are completely dialed into their surroundings. They pay attention to the news and stick have manners and goals. However, they’re in the minority these days. In a recent discussion with a sixteen-year-old boy, he mapped out what he wants to do with his life and how he intends to get there.

He remarked about the atrocities happening in the world and had the information and evidence with which to back his comments. Having a discussion with this kid was incredible, and then I turned to his girlfriend, my niece.

I asked her if she had any goals or comments about what we were discussing. She shrugged. Upon visiting a museum, her mother asked her what she thought of it and she simply responded: “it’s nice”. During this time, she had her phone in one hand and was constantly scrolling. If it weren’t so saddening, it would’ve been impressive. She could even do it with a fork in her other hand while eating pasta.

A Need to Unplug

We need to unplug a little bit again. Let’s no go back to the covered wagon and outhouse days, but let’s agree to put down our phones for an hour while we try to eat dinner together. School and athletic schedules make dining together pretty difficult, but I’m sure there’s an hour somewhere.

Sit down with your kids. Make them leave their phones, iPads, and other electronics in another room so they won’t be distracted and talk to them. Ask them what their interests are, ask them what they’re passionate about, and what they want to do with their lives in general. They don’t have to have a specific plan, like the aforementioned young man, but a general idea would be nice.

Put the Phones Down; for the Sake of Your Children

While you’re doing this, think about the days when we were kids. Were our parents constantly zoned out, starting at a six-inch screen? Probably not. Of course, not everyone has a charming and idyllic upbringing, but for goodness sake, if you have the chance, give it a shot.

Just put the phone down and talk to your kids before we’re burdened with a mass of people who want to work minimum wage and no one to run our companies.