Time and again we blame western civilization for most of the wrongdoings perpetrated by our youth today. Corruption, Drug Abuse & trafficking, Fraud, Sexual Misdemeanors among many others, and particularly my personal favorite, 'laziness and inability to strive hard to earn an honest living.
Yes!! Blame it all on Western Culture and Cable TV, let's throw away the technology, education, and exposure we have also benefited from them. History has taught us how they "divided and conquered" Africans to subjugate us, that same history also revealed our greed, selfishness, and unpatriotic attitude which also helped in the subjugation of our black Nation.
Having been exposed to Western Culture for as long as I could discern good from bad, there was one thing I observed in all their movies and series, which was as far as I could glean a part of their "culture". Which was earning an "allowance, weekly or monthly by being dedicated to executing their daily house chores, school work, and activities irrespective of the period in which, whatever story-line they concocted, that was a consistent theme.
As soon as any child got up to an age where they could undertake house chores, the parents encouraged them by giving them a stipend, this wasn't child abuse or child labor, NO! This was imparting a tradition or belief that hard work pays, and at the end of every Labor a commensurate reward should be given, and this, in turn, enforced the child to want to strive hard and be successful.
This tradition was not altogether successful for some, but in general, helped in shaping the character and belief which till today is responsible for the success in every facet of life and economy of the Western World.
We have much to learn and grow and while there are numerous lessons we can definitely do without from the Western world, one that we can take a lead from is in the value of honest, dedicated work and giving its due reward for it, to build the character and attitude of our children that honest living pays.
Author - Seinjin
