Dear Old African People👴👵

Our “culture”, says during a disagreement between an adult and a child, the adult is always right. I hope the flaw in this reasoning is realized whenever you boast about it – boast because that is the go-to phrase in an effort to pull rank.

The past generation is a lot different from the present so when references are made to how things were done, I can’t relate. Keep in mind that life is dynamic and change is inevitable. The most dangerous phrase in the language is, “We’ve always done it this way.” Now, that was said by Grace Hopper, who is from generations before you.

I have heard many elders go on and on about how children of this generation are disrespectful. Do you know the meaning of disrespect? Do you really? Disrespect:- IMPOLITE, OFFENSIVE, INSULTING. My father taught me all about respect but he also taught me to stand up for myself. He didn’t raise me to be timid. On the contrary, he raised me to be assertive. Assertiveness never equates rudeness. Oh! I failed to mention, he is from your generation. I have grown to learn that respect is earned, not demanded. I choose to live by this knowledge while realising that respect is a 2-way street.

So, with all due respect, the next time you reference the child-adult boundary, remember: technically, I am the child of my biological parents only. Legally, I have been an adult for a number of years. Granted, the Bible admonishes us, “Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise)” – Ephesians 6:2. The same chapter goes on to say in verse 4, “Fathers, do not provoke/anger/exasperate/irritate your children, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Since we are still on  “child-adult” relationships, let me conclude with these final words of wisdom about temptation and the bearers of such: “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble” – Luke 17:2.