Do as I say, not as I do.
I remember my parents saying that when I was a kid, and boy did I hate it. You never understand when you’re younger that your brain just isn’t at the same capacity yet as an adult’s, or that you haven’t yet gained the maturity to deal with the same issues that adults face. However, there are some things that even as adults we shouldn’t be doing, and we’re punishing them for it.
http://www.latimes.com/technology/sns-ap-us-tec-distracted-driving,0,2759944.story
We tell our kids that texting or talking on the phone while driving or in other inappropriate situations is wrong, yet adults apparently are the ones needing a behavioral adjustment. According to this article, a recent Pew Research Center study shows that “…adults and teenagers are equally likely to have texted while driving. And adults are more likely to have chatted on their phones while driving.” How many of us in this class have done exactly this while preaching to everyone who’ll listen that it’s a dangerous thing to do? *raises hand*
And this is only one of the things that we as Americans have a tendency to be two-faced about. Think about Carly Reust’s post on swear words, particularly the part about how we as adults use them but expect kids to do as they’re told (and not as adults do).
We also often tell our kids that, unequivocally, our ways are the only ways. Many of the issues in intellectual freedom today might not be issues if we taught our kids openness and acceptance early on in their lives. I’m not saying that many parents don’t do that now, but I still see many who shoot down kids’ thoughts and questions, and it’s bloody hard to unlearn behaviors after you’ve practiced them for so many years. For example, I’m ashamed to say that, growing up, my family was very closed-minded on matters of race and sexual orientation. If I had held to those values and not opened my own eyes during college, I would have missed out on some pretty special friends.
And the biggest lie we’re told as kids? “You’ll understand when you get older.” Bah. I’m in my thirties now, and I’m still waiting to understand.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Actually, I'm one of those weird people who doesn't talk on the phone while driving, much less text (how can you see the road when you're looking at your phone?! What could possibly be more important than a car accident and/or death?). But I see it all the time.
ReplyDeleteQuestion is, how do you encourage people to teach - and practice - openness and acceptance? There are a lot of people who reach college, as you did, and had their eyes opened, but it doesn't work that way for everyone. "Do as I say, not as I do" doesn't usually work. Actions speak louder than words. So how to get adults to be more open minded?
I thought that your post was interesting. After I read the article, all I could think of was that texting and driving is illegal in many states so that is one way to teach people not to text. I think that the fact that there are real consequences to texting and driving in some states should help serve as a deterrent to adults and teens alike.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link:
http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6297/texting-while-driving-now-illegal-and-fines-boosted-using-cell-phone-behind-wheel
After reading the results of the Pew study, I couldn't help but wonder how many people were completely honest about their cell phone and driving habits.
Leah
Yes, some states do have laws against texting and driving for all people and some just for teenagers. I wonder if the states that have laws against teens and texting are allowed to pull over someone because the police officer thinks that the person is a teen. This seems like an easy excuse for cops to smell a driver's breath for alcohol or do a quick search, which I do not agree with.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of having people be more openminded, I think it is a great idea, but how do we teach this? Is this the job of parents, schools, or who? I think schools should encourage creativity and support diversity. I worry that people see things in black and white terms, and I am afraid some schools may teach this way. Think standardized testing.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe have a duty to protect intellectual freedom, not to make sure that a parent raises their child with a certain set of values. The parent does have the right to raise his or her child with the values that they have. When the parent tries to enforce his or her values upon the community at large, then this is a problem, and when the parent tries to do this through the library, then this is where we must stop them.
ReplyDeletePreaching to the choir, my friend. Somehow, there are a whole lot of people out there who expect everyone else to be responsible. There is also a sizable group that appears to think that unless everyone is responsible, they don't have to be, that they have some sort of excuse since others aren't measuring up either.
ReplyDelete