Everybody is born innocent, and most parents prefer preserving that innocence until the time when their child finally “learns to understand.” While I’ve nothing against that practice, it is disappointing in my point of view that some people deliberately deprive their children of knowledge about reality and conceal the truth from them at all costs. Now I shall ask this; is innocence a characteristic worthy of retaining as you grow up?
Innocence is well-received in the eyes of many, especially in Christianity, and to mine as well, as long as the innocent one is still a baby. Otherwise, I disapprove strongly against it. I believe it has absolutely no place in an unfriendly world. If one desires to live, he must know everything about the danger, not be oblivious about it. Let’s discuss the serious disadvantage about not knowing anything about the harshness of life. Let’s start off with an example. A kid grew up in a very rich family, where riches and glory were lavished upon him. He knew nothing of despair and poverty, of suffering and struggle, for he was always preoccupied with superficial happiness.
Consequently, he becomes an imbecile as he grows, vulnerable to criticisms, easily moved by false kindness, unmindful of constant treachery against him, for he wasn’t given enlightenment as he is tested by the fire. In due course, he becomes weaker and weaker, his innocence gone, but replaced not with wisdom, but hatred, fear and vengeance. In a drastic turn of events, the individual in question might be driven insane, or commit suicide. Let’s face it; this lifestyle is totally not impossible. So where does this root from? Well, certainly from the fact that he wasn’t informed about what he will inevitably face in adulthood. He wasn’t given any advice for the hardships of future. Such are the destructive consequences of unfazed innocence. The truth is quite harsh, but it is true, nonetheless; life is survival of the fittest. One must be armed with the wisdom if he is to overcome the corruption and greed that constantly circulates the society.
Before a reader misinterprets what I’m trying to say in any case, I certainly have nothing against keeping a child happy while he/she is young. However, at the same time, a son or daughter must be eventually enlightened that life isn’t just a small paradise, that life doesn’t always work in our favor, that life can crush those who are too weak to cope up with it. I believe that if you love somebody, you won’t let anything happen to him, and this is one way of expressing it; to arm your child, your sibling, or your friend with the wisdom to withstand life and the injustice that constantly taints it.
If your child asks you why you must lock the doors at night, don’t just constantly delude him/her with bad wolves from fairy tales hunting in the night. Tell him/her the real danger that awaits the careless, the consequences the fool who does not heed the precautions of life will face. Another thing is that I know I have no privilege in advising a parent unto whether to let a child watch porn, or have a boyfriend or girlfriend, but I think I can say one thing of no possible harm; a child needs not innocence, but guidance. While prevention is indeed better than cure, man is naturally curious, and I believe it is only fitting that we should provide the young with the cure in case he/she wounds herself. Forcefully enforcing constraints on the child’s boundaries just provokes his/her passion, and may develop to rage and rebellion. Why not accompany him/her as he/she discovers the dark side of living?
I believe that if you love somebody, you’ll let him/her know the truth, for you can’t stand having your loved one stuck in the unknown, trapped in the illusions of easy-to-get happiness. The truth usually hurts, no doubt, but then again, this is where the purpose of a parent, a counselor, and a friend comes in. Knowing something evil is not a sin. Doing it is one. God knows what is evil, yet He’s pure and good. I believe we can be the same, and we should be, because, given ample time, innocence becomes synonymous with idiocy.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Chinese Proverb
P.S: If, in any case, this article has similarities with the others, this is completely unintentional.
Innocence is well-received in the eyes of many, especially in Christianity, and to mine as well, as long as the innocent one is still a baby. Otherwise, I disapprove strongly against it. I believe it has absolutely no place in an unfriendly world. If one desires to live, he must know everything about the danger, not be oblivious about it. Let’s discuss the serious disadvantage about not knowing anything about the harshness of life. Let’s start off with an example. A kid grew up in a very rich family, where riches and glory were lavished upon him. He knew nothing of despair and poverty, of suffering and struggle, for he was always preoccupied with superficial happiness.
Consequently, he becomes an imbecile as he grows, vulnerable to criticisms, easily moved by false kindness, unmindful of constant treachery against him, for he wasn’t given enlightenment as he is tested by the fire. In due course, he becomes weaker and weaker, his innocence gone, but replaced not with wisdom, but hatred, fear and vengeance. In a drastic turn of events, the individual in question might be driven insane, or commit suicide. Let’s face it; this lifestyle is totally not impossible. So where does this root from? Well, certainly from the fact that he wasn’t informed about what he will inevitably face in adulthood. He wasn’t given any advice for the hardships of future. Such are the destructive consequences of unfazed innocence. The truth is quite harsh, but it is true, nonetheless; life is survival of the fittest. One must be armed with the wisdom if he is to overcome the corruption and greed that constantly circulates the society.
Before a reader misinterprets what I’m trying to say in any case, I certainly have nothing against keeping a child happy while he/she is young. However, at the same time, a son or daughter must be eventually enlightened that life isn’t just a small paradise, that life doesn’t always work in our favor, that life can crush those who are too weak to cope up with it. I believe that if you love somebody, you won’t let anything happen to him, and this is one way of expressing it; to arm your child, your sibling, or your friend with the wisdom to withstand life and the injustice that constantly taints it.
If your child asks you why you must lock the doors at night, don’t just constantly delude him/her with bad wolves from fairy tales hunting in the night. Tell him/her the real danger that awaits the careless, the consequences the fool who does not heed the precautions of life will face. Another thing is that I know I have no privilege in advising a parent unto whether to let a child watch porn, or have a boyfriend or girlfriend, but I think I can say one thing of no possible harm; a child needs not innocence, but guidance. While prevention is indeed better than cure, man is naturally curious, and I believe it is only fitting that we should provide the young with the cure in case he/she wounds herself. Forcefully enforcing constraints on the child’s boundaries just provokes his/her passion, and may develop to rage and rebellion. Why not accompany him/her as he/she discovers the dark side of living?
I believe that if you love somebody, you’ll let him/her know the truth, for you can’t stand having your loved one stuck in the unknown, trapped in the illusions of easy-to-get happiness. The truth usually hurts, no doubt, but then again, this is where the purpose of a parent, a counselor, and a friend comes in. Knowing something evil is not a sin. Doing it is one. God knows what is evil, yet He’s pure and good. I believe we can be the same, and we should be, because, given ample time, innocence becomes synonymous with idiocy.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Chinese Proverb
P.S: If, in any case, this article has similarities with the others, this is completely unintentional.
0 comments:
Post a Comment