by:
Fr. Deacon David (Stuart), O.S.B.
Parent's are the babysitters of God's children. Parents have the obigation to teach their earthly children about right and wrong, good and evil, moral and ethical behavior, and most of all, about GOD.
If we want to bring todays youth closer to God and Jesus Christ, then we must ask "where are our children getting their information from." Let's Be honest, how many times have we heard our children say; "I already know that" or "We learned about that in school" or our most worse fear of all; "I learned about that from my friends."
From a moral perspective we need to look at who is teaching our young people. And, what are they learning, if anything about GOD?
Television shows today show nothing but drugs, violance and sex. Schools have become a meeting place to make dates rather than an educational center, and parents (because of work) do not have time to talk to their children. Children have to deal with peer pressure from their friends, and most disturbing, other adults whom we do not know outside of the family could be teaching our children anything.
So the question parents must ask themselves is, "Who do I go to for help?"
Parents love their children, but just do not have time. Teens are to old for baby sitters, and the streets are no place to learn the about God. By the time our children are 12 years of age, schools have already spoken to them about sex. They watch television shows, and go to movies that involve involve violance and sexual behavior. Most pre-teen children talk with their friends about sex, drugs, and other such issues and might even seek answers from your friends.
True, it is the role of the parents to educate their children, but how?.
Parents do have a choice in the development of their children. A place where their children can be educated and their religious beliefs and values molded.
I offer the following: I know you love your child and pray they not make the mistake of learning their moral and religious values from the streets. The solution? Sign them up with an orthodox youth group in your area. Parents need to show their children, that they care about them, and need to supply a means by which they may be better equiped to deal with society’s issues and problems.
It is impossible today to shield our children from the issues mentioned above. We need to better equip them to handle the issues of sex, drugs and violance. We need to teach children the differences between right and wrong. They need to learn what is acceptable and what is not in todays society. To ask your child to figure it out on their own, is unacceptable, and to turn over their daily upbringing to whomever enters into their lives puts them at great risk.
After personally speaking with many teens, children want their parents involved in their life. And, if the parent cannot be their on a personal level, then they want to at least know where to go for proper answers.
The Church, the Bible, Divine Liturgy ond an Orthodox Youth Group can be a good source of strength for todays children. Orthodox youth groups have programs designed to help your child deal with peer pressure, drugs, sex, and violance. I suggest as parents, you should be encouraged to meet with your local orthodox priest or Youth Pastor to explore the issues of moral upbringing and traditional religious education of your children, which can only be supplied by orthodox clergy.
Fr. Deacon David (Stuart). O.S.B.
