Alexis Carter
Mr Bryan
Composition I
11 October 2015
Child Behavior: Then vs. Now
Child behavior is worse today than it was ten years ago. The definition of behavior, according to oxford dictionary is “The manner in which one acts or conducts oneself especially in the presence of other people”. In addition to that, behavior is the way one responds to a situation. Therefore, the definition of child behavior would be the way a child conducts him or herself while relating with other people or the way they react to situations. As a general observation, ten years ago children were better behaved, especially towards their elders and parents than they are in this generation (Generation Z). Now, it is common to find a child who has deliberately refused to obey a parental command when they have been sent to do a certain task. There are numerous television shows today showing unruly children whom the parents can no longer control or discipline. These children do not do what is right for them but instead do what they wish to do. A good reality show that can illustrate the behavior of these children is ‘World’s Strictest Parents’, a reality show that depicts how some teenagers have become so rebellious, hardened and with lack of remorse for anything wrong done.
Children exhibit bad behavior through lack of respect toward their own parents as well as other people. Children also show a lack of respect to their parents by shouting at them when denied something they want, or by calling them names such as stupid and ugly, among other commonly used names. They use foul language in front of their parents without fear or shame. To other people, such children do not show respect by failing to observe basic etiquette such as making way for an elderly person or even giving up their seat in a full bus to a heavily pregnant mother who is standing. Elementary manners have vanished from the minds of many young children and teens.
One would beg the question as to why child behavior has deteriorated. Advancement in technology over the years is one of the categories that falls under blame. Violent actions children witness in TV and video games molds their character and there is an increased rate of violence among the minors. Thinking surrounds so many aspects of who our children are and what they do; from observing, remembering, questioning, and judging to innovating, arguing, and deciding. There is also little doubt that all of the new technologies, led by the internet, are shaping the way we think in ways obvious and subtle, deliberate and unintentional, and advantageous and detrimental. The uncertain reality is that, with this new technological frontier in its early stage and developments emerging at a rapid pace, we have neither the benefit of historical hindsight nor the time to contemplate or examine the value and cost of these advancements in terms of how it influences our children’s ability to think.
Yes, even the parents are to blame. Parent laxity is not the only cause of this, but it stands out. Compared to the past practices, parents have invalidated the importance of the family being the source of primary socialization. The child learns and observes from the family. Poor parental practices are also a cause for declining child behavior. Parental practice is the specific behavior a parent uses in raising a child. Some fail to be firm in their disciplinary measures, while others altogether fail to punish their children with the fear of upsetting them. Hence, occurrences such as rudely talking back to the person in authority are more common now than they ever were.
Discipline amongst them is also on the decline. Lack of respect for authority and the elderly is nearing a normal for the minors. Not only are some of the children arrogant, but others also lack consideration and act in total disregard of people older than them. There are also those who feel that they are in control of both their parents and teachers.
There is a disparity between child behavior ten years ago and now. That is a fact. This has an array of reasons. However, the blame should be laid more on the society than on the children themselves. Children pick up the traits they witness around them. Hence, with the changing society and values through the time, child behavior has also changed.