Should not physical and mental health of children be monitored on top priority during formative years?

Question

Look around! You will observe people harbouring superstitions, blind faiths, misplaced fears, intolerance, false pride and self-esteem among many others. In my experience when I talk to them pointing certain aspects as ill-found fears and faiths, they fume and become furious for no reasons. I have often found a highly educated neighbour of mine returning every time when he finds on his start an inauspicious omen. Then he must take a glass of water before he ventures out again. Cats, particularly the black ones are the most feared and hated. They do not set start in certain directions. Their talk on lineages sometimes does not make sense. They harbour fears for anything and everything. I am now inclined to believe that during the formative years of our children many of us install a window that facilitates loading all these inerasable lifetime traits. Formative years are the period when you can instill all qualities in the mind that would stand him throughout life. Do you agree?

Answer 1

I think the monitoring is effectively done by the family. If the family is the source of superstitions, God save the child and the society. You need big reformers. I wish many men of religions, come out against superstitions, in the name of God and religion.

Answer 2

Your formative years definition is not very clear. I would say there is a lot to learn until you hit your early teenage years.

Of course it is important for the parents and educators to instill proper thoughts in the children's mind based upon proper reasoning. Be careful, sometime even the adults give kids confusing signals - when they tell the children that dad is not at home - when an unwelcome guest or a bill collector suddenly shows up at the door. When adults bribe the children to tell a lie and later on they are asking the same kids to fight corruption. When you seek admission for your child in the best school, even if you had to bribe someone to take a short cut and you tell your kids to stand up for their rights later. They must wonder what rights are you talking about.

There are definitely tons of things to learn - concerrning language, culture, manners, citizenship at home, school and in society. The norms of acceptability are also dependent upon the environment that one is surrounded by. This is faced by many when they move from one place to another within a geographical region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behavioral_science

Answer 3

If I am understanding you right, in a nutshell, what you are suggesting is that children not be taught about God, or participate with their parent's, by attending church or synagouge, mosque, or even wiccan coven's etc. etc. etc.
I absolutely disagree with you. Not only do I disagree with you, but so would the great philosopher "Aristotle."

It was Aristotle who said: "The entire purpose of education is to inculate the basic virtues in children so that they can live happy successful lives when they grow up." Aristotle determined: "Only the good can be happy and succeed - And only the virtuous can be good." Here are seven virtues that Aristotle educated in the years 400 BC:
1). Integrity.
2). Honesty;
3). Compassion;
4). Friendship;
5). Responsibility;
6). Kindness;
7). Gentleness.

Most religions teach about virtue, being good, and ethics. (everything listed above). Just because there are imperfections in every religion, that doesn't warrent throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath-water.

Answer 4

I am a self-published author that write children books. I too feel and write that a child's formative years , are the years that need nourishing. If the seat you are sitting in feel uncomfortable you should try moving your seat closer to the one that need the consideration. This area may be in the academic or social skill area. It does not matter. We must address what our children lack of is and why it has not been confronted. I continue to tell people at seminars and public speakings that I do not have a paper trail for anyone to trip over. I do have high self esteem and persistence. I know why I am and of course who I am. I try to teach the younger generation this concept. We do not need to install a window but we can allow our children to learn how to find a door. To learn if there is not a door how to create one. To stay out of the hallways of confusion and to identify with self first.

Answer 5

I agree that a childs formative years are very important. BUT, it is important to instil a certain amount of fear in our children. For instance " the nice stanger witha knife behind their back that rapes and mutilates children." Or, the sweet Granny that puts rat poison in her brownies. Until these type of things are eradicated, fear can and is a good thing. Just because it amy seem meaningless to you does not mean that you are right about it. There are so many other thigns in this world you could be dwelling on instead of the faults of others. Starving children, abused elderly, the enviroment! Put a smile on your face and endure!!!!

Answer 6

You know if it is not the fear of the cat or an inauspicious omen then there is a fear of something else.. American kids now fear that they might be shot at school...

Fear is part of living. We are part of the food chain, the hunter and the hunted... I guess today we can stand apart from the food chain and claim that we are not the hunted. But still the instinct of fear still thrives within us

As far as your neighbor is concerned, do not worry about the values he will pass on to his children.. They are children of modern India... as they mix with people of many reliigion in their schools and social life they will learn to identify good and bad / and fear what is to be feared

Until they watch your neighbor with amusement, and if possible wish him success with your kind heart.

Answer 7

Each individual is born with certain basic character and traits.This can be seen from the fact that children born to the same parents, who grow up in the same circumstances and environment become diffrent individuals when they grow up.Hence the formative years experience can influence a child to only certain extent, hence they should be guided so that the good traits in them can bloom and the negative traits and thoughts are erased or suppressed to enable them to become Worthy citizens when they grow up/

Answer 8

They should be mapped and monitored along with the school teachers. A child gets exposed to different things at different places like the house, play ground, school, tv, cinema etc. What is important is for the parents to spend time explaining different things giving a proper perspective and explanation and not by limiting the exposure or shielding the child. It is possible for the mental faculties to be trained and developed thru proper coaching and training.

Answer 9

I fully agree with you, it definitely place a major role on the grown ups we have to monitor and clear their cobwebs of such notions so that they become clear in their conviction when they grow up.

Answer 10

Totally...