Children are very vulnerable. They learn from their surroundings. We as a parent have to monitor our children at every step so that they grow up to be a good human being. Instead of violence, we should teach them the importance of love and mankind.
What possibly could be the circumstances that would make someone so indifferent to human life that he wouldn't bat an eyelid at the thought of killing thousands of people? The World Trade Center tragedy sent shockwaves around the world, as the carefully orchestrated plan wreaked devastation on so many innocent people.
Is it something in the genes of these people that make them so inhuman? Or is it in their upbringing?
Hatred
Are you teaching your children to hate? Think about it. Every time you criticize a neighbour, a relative or another religion, you are teaching your children to hate. Think before you speak.
Prejudice
Anger towards Pakistan. Dislike for Hindus or Muslims or Christians. Class clashes. Gender biases. What are we teaching our children, guys? Is this the world we want them to grow up in?
Movies
Violence in movies and in other media seem to increase with every subsequent generation, as plots keep amplifying the scale of devastation and mindlessness of destruction. A movie like Natural Born Killers had reached the top of the US Charts, and what was it about? Youngsters on a killing rampage, for no reason other than the sheer joy of taking a life.
Monitor
Do you, as a parent, monitor what your child watches on TV? Ok, so you probably hop in every now and then to make sure your child is not watching an 'adult' movie, which translated in Indian terms means a movie which has at least one explicit sex scene. But how many of us stop our children from watching a violent film? The more violence your child watches, the easier it gets for him to accept violence as a way of life.
Gruesome Scenes
If your child enjoys watching gruesome movies and doesn't shy away from a scene which you find macabre, his tendency towards accepting violence may be increasing.
Toys
G.I. Jo, toy guns and other violent games should be totally banned from your child's playpen. What are you trying to teach them by letting them play violent games. Think about it. Do you encourage your children to play cards? Harmless games like Bluff promise hours of fun. It's about time you started thinking about the games you are buying for your child. Instead of buying him that toy machine gun which has lights and produces a fantastic sound, pick up a toy cycle or a colourful pair of skates. Who says every small boy should have a toy gun?
Teach your children the importance of a human life. More importantly, teach your children to love. The future of the next generation is in your hands.
