Are PARENTS to be blamed?

Many children in modern and affluent societies tend to be brought up in a way that they have been conditioned to take things for granted and be insistent in their demand for things. When their demands are not met, they would behave irrationally and terribly towards their parents. What difference are they from terrorists, hijackers and kidnappers?

Sometimes, the problem does not start with the children but the parents. I have, once in the toy department of a shopping mall at Orchard Road, overheard a father telling his son apparently after he has done well in his examinations, "Son, go and pick whatever toys you like, don't worry about the price!". Gee! This father seemed very rich! I think this is where the problem starts. "Don't worry about the price", what value was he imparting to the child, money grows on the trees or drops from heaven? Such children, one day, when his demands are not met, would turn against the parents.

I have personally encountered many families like this. The parents are inadvertently being manipulated by their children and the children don't even spare a thought for their parents many of whom are not big earners. As a result of such "extortions" by the children, a father was compelled into stealing things from his workplace and selling them for extra income to support his son's extravagant lifestyle. The father was caught, charged and put behind bars.

I think it is important that parents impart right values to their children especially when they are much younger. No matter how rich the parents may be, I think it is good for the children to learn that money is hard-earned and money comes with effort.