CHILDHOOD ISN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE BY THE LATE JACK GORDON.
“Life used to have a period of innocence but in on the front end.
Children could froloic, enjoy special protection from their elders,
and learn responsibility by gradual integration into the world of
adult hassles and joys.
Seems like we are conspiring to take away that important time from the
children in this society.
Pre-teens are assaulted with sights and sounds once confined to “adult
bookstores.” Movies, TV programs, and music targeting the youthful
audience feels no great obligation to protect them from obscenity and
violence.
The teen pregnancy rate had doubled from what it was a quarter of a
century ago. Social workers in some cities say that pregnancy is a
badge of honor for a teenage girl.
One child in five lives in a single-parent home, and one in three is
projected to receive welfare before eighteen.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens.
It isn’t the children’s fault! They are not the ones who passed laws
which allow pornography to be put into their hands. They did not
create the culture of chemical obsession which has sold them alcohol
and drugs as recreation. They are not the ones who tire families apart
by desertion and irresponsibility.
The children are the victims of selfish, unprincipled, and exploitive
adults who have burned them out on life before they even had a chance
to theirs started.
Answers will not be found in scolding the kids for their tastes in
clothing or screaming for them to turn down the music. Before we tell
them to turn off the R-rated movies and music, we need to know what we
are asking them to turn on to.
Let’s create stable, loving families which give children an
environment of security for their growth and development.
Let’s support community and school programs designed to protect young
people from drugs, alcohol and sexual exploitation.
Let’s build churches where Christ is real and love is experienced in
meaningful fellowship and service.
Children who grow up in a world which makes them feel dirty,
un-welcome, and used will be jaded adults looking to strike back at
someone for revenge. The fortunate ones who are allowed to be happy,
loved, and nurtured into adulthood will be well-adjusted. We can only
hope there are more of the latter than the former.”
“Train up a child in the way he should go…” Proverbs 22:6
This article was written by Jack back in 1986, some thirty one years
ago, but sadly it is still needed today because the war on youth
continues and it is even getting worse. What can we do? As adults we
must determine to be the best examples that we can be and endeavor to
become better. We must also do away with all the lame excuses and be
the leaders instead of letting the children lead us. We must put God’s
way and will taught in His word first in our life so they can see His
truth in action in our lives. It’s our children who are at stake!
De Soto church of Christ 