Although I keep myself physically and morally clean, I do not, however, consider myself a prude. I consider myself as one who is open-minded and non-judgmental. I feel this has been tested lately with some experiences I've had involving what my students' parents not only allow, but encourage.
At a writing conference today, a few coworkers and I were discussing our students and their behaviors. You can tell a LOT about a students' parents and upbringing by their behavior in your class. When considering this point, one of my coworkers told us a story about one of her students. She said she saw a student get dropped off at school by a parent. Before the parent drove off, whipped out her lighter and lit up two cigarettes for the both of them. Her son is in the 10th grade. What is this parent thinking? What statement is this parent making by not only allowing her son to smoke, but encouraging it? Encouraging him to go against everything that teachers in school warn against?
I really feel the world is going downhill and fast. It's like Alexander Pope's well-known verse states,
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
I see the world going this way.
I saw my high school days filled with parents becoming more and more tolerant of their childrens' lack of morals. At that time, I thought it was shocking what some parents would allow their children to do.
Next came parents who weren't just tolerant but apathetic about their kids' actions.
It then progressed to parents actually allowing their kids to do whatever they want, without teaching or warning of the consequences.
Now it has come to parents actually participating in drug and alcohol use with their children. What does this say about our society? Where is the world going? I fear for my children and the hardships they will have to endure. As it is, I already stick out because of my morals, abstinence, and religious beliefs. What kind of world will my children live in? Will we be the only ones who want to keep themselves substance free and morally pure? I hope not. I hope not.
