Children Learn What They Live
Crime in southwest Florida is on the increase. While some crime statistics have dropped since last year, others have risen sharply. Reasons for a general rise in the crime rate are numerous, but as to the exact cause for that increase, no singular aspect of our community's growth can be deemed "the causative factor".As the median age within many communities continues to drop, the number of crimes committed by younger offenders also continues to rise. It wouldn't be fair or accurate to say that today's youth are "worthless" or "criminal minded". After all, they are our children.
The statistical increase in crime is inevitable..unfortunate, but inevitable. While young people can be foolish ( I surely was ), and often hasty where considering consequences of their actions is concerned, they are our future !
When I was a boy, I was intrigued by a particular piece of wisdom I saw framed on the wall of my doctor's office. It was Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. It simply stated several conditional realities that occurred, given living within several common and plausible environments. I must confess that at the tender age of 10 years, it made little sense to me. Twenty some odd years later, I ran across the same work, and after re-examination, noted an eerie accuracy with what I had observed in my own life.
Bad behavior isn't an inherited trait, it is learned..most often by modeling. In order for parents to be effective role models, they have to be capable of using strong principles for fostering their children's mental and emotional development. It is really sad that so many modern day parents aren't capable of functioning in this capacity. They simply weren't given the tools as children themselves that would have allowed them to possess the necessary maturity to be responsible adults today.
To paraphrase Ms. Nolte's words of wisdom; children that grow up in hostile, dishonest, unkind and inconsiderate environments, learn to fight, lie and disrespect others. It's really pretty simple "cause and effect" stuff, and I not only believe it, I see it manifest in far too many of today's kids. It saddens me to see children approaching adulthood, with little in the way of maturity. The implications in those numbers are scary !
Young people need hope for bright futures and a belief that they are safe and secure within society to create that hope. Maybe a resurgence of nationalism could be spurred by a redirecting of our own national values toward service and selflessness, rather than the selfishness and unbridled "profits over principals" approach our corporate culture seems to espouse ?
I have a message for the young people in southwest Florida. "I believe in you and want to encourage you to follow your dreams, and educate your minds." More than anything, I believe that young people need praise and encouragement in order to succeed themselves.
As a single father, I am challenged everyday to be the role model my child needs in order to find success in his own life. It is the greatest challenge I have ever known, but a greater responsibility I do not possess.
Have a great Independence Day, SWFL !
_Wray
