BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN today’s society there are many children who seem to be lacking the ‘old time’ morals such as saying “good morning” or “good afternoon” when they pass someone, or saying “sorry” when they did something wrong, or a simple “please” or “thank you” when asking for or given something.
Many of these things may seem simple but it is the same simple things that contributed to the good upbringing of children in the not so distant past.
It would be unfair to say that all children in the Federation have gone astray and lack good qualities, because there are still many of them who are determined to remain focused and do the right things.
Proverbs 22:6 states, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” But, is this being done in St. Kitts and Nevis, or is it that the parents have followed this proverb but the children are being affected by outside influence?
From this backdrop, SKNVibes took to the streets and asked a few people this question: “What is one of those good old values that you miss?”
Raphael, who was first to kick off things, said, “From looking at black and white movies to listening to oldies, to me it seems life was a lot more simple in terms of…little was much and people were more respectful and closely knitted.”
“I miss kids being polite and saying good morning or good afternoon. I miss family meals in the evenings where everyone sat at the table and chat in the evening for dinner. I also miss smiling faces. The Caribbean used to be known for being warm and open; everywhere you went people want to help you out,” said Garth.
Thirty-year-old Tyrone said he misses the days when children greeted and respected their elders. “They don’t say good morning and good afternoon, and they do swear bad words without caring who’s there.”
Kimberly, who was on the same track as Tyrone, said, “I miss the respect, the good mornings and good afternoons. No matter who we passed when we were kids, we had to say it. But this generation cares less about manners.”
Another older man by the name of Calvert added the similar sentiments while Archibald said he misses service with a smile and the days when one went to a restaurant or store and the staff greeted you properly. He added that these days it is just “wah you want? And it is asked with a sour face”.
Archibald further stated that “back in the old days, it was never like that. We needed to keep the attitude from the old people back then and we would have been so far ahead today, but instead people think if you give in and be nice you getting taken advantage of or something”.
Kevin said what he misses is respect from children towards their elders and a level of self-worth in young women and men.
On the other hand, Samantha said the children today are exposed to too many things and they feel that they are grown adults. “I miss the days when the neighbours could talk to my children or even give them a beating when they see them doing wrong, and when they come home they still get a second beating,” she added.
An elderly woman name Edith, who was quite sensitive on the topic, said, “Lord, I miss so many things. I miss the days when any older person can correct any child, no matter if they knew them or not. These days, you can’t talk to somebody else’s child or they will ‘buse’ you. People now are too hot headed and sensitive and the mothers are younger and younger now and cannot handle their children. I miss the days when the children use to play skipping and hop scotch outside in the streets, and girls would be in Brownies and the boys in the Scouts. But those days are gone! Most the children now are not interested in those things; they are more taken up with the internet, clothes and shoes and gangs.”
You are now required to send your comments on the good old values you miss that had made most members of the older generation role models.
