See, Hear, Say, No Evil
We are quite sensitized to Gandhiji's mantra of "See no evil, hear no evil and say no evil". We get worried when our children are exposed to violence on TV, or immoral behaviour in real life or when they use inappropriate language.
Hence we go about shielding our children. Check out how will you react if your child is around and
* A violent scene is on the TV
* Somebody uses foul language
* Some children of your child's age are bullying a smaller child
* An indecently exposed photograph is there in the magazine
* You speak angrily and rudely to another person.
While we're not suggesting that we expose our children to inappropriate stuff, we want you to realize that the trouble with building a shield around a child is that sooner or later the child invariably does get exposed. Then what? The trouble is that children cannot help but "see and hear evil".
The problem is not what Gandhiji propagated (he was a master communicator and had to simplify things for the masses).
The trouble is in our literal interpretation of the same.
We are what our thoughts are. Hence, another proposition would be to THINK NO EVIL. A much better proposition would be to build the shield instead of around the child - INSIDE the child.
Instead of sterilizing them from all kinds of germs, make their immune system stronger.
Instead of teaching them what is right and wrong, a much better proposition would be to teach them how to decide what is right or wrong.
Instead of giving them wisdom, help them discover wisdom.
Instead of giving them our thoughts, encourage them to build their own thoughts and perspectives.
Somehow we believe that it is the parent's responsibility to preach, sermonize and moralize our children's minds. We believe that if we do not brainwash, somebody or something else would. But to us, the key to the whole process of character building is not education, but empowerment.