EMULATION

I Was Just Thinking About – EMULATION.

This week we were able to view the disturbing, destructive behavior and rioting of some younger people at the University of California in Berkley. Last night, a news report stated there was a demonstration and protests at New York University. At the very least, this would illustrate what it means to emulate/imitate disturbing and destructive behavior. The NYU young people were emulating/imitating the Berkley young people. At the core of these demonstrations was the First Amendment and the right of an individual with whom one disagrees to have his/her Freedom of Speech to share with those who might be interested in his/her point of view about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Is this behavior a reflection of home life in America? Whatever happened to parents practicing and implementing Proverbs 22:6 (NIV), “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”  Some time ago, Focus on the Family wrote about the Parenting Styles of Parents. They narrowed it down to four.

First: The Permissive Parents tend to produce children with very low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority. Though the parents express a lot of love, the lack of boundaries leaves their children with a high level of insecurity. The kids feel loved, but they are never sure of their limits.

Second: The Neglectful Parent doesn't express much love and also doesn't really care enough to discipline. Their children tend to grow up with little or no lasting relationship with Mom or Dad. They're estranged because they feel forsaken. The parents don't purposely desire to neglect their kids, but they don't know how to deal with their own issues adequately and don't have the tools to be healthy parents.

Third: The Authoritarian Parent doesn't express love and affection well but is very high on discipline. They raise children who are provoked to rebellion. The bar is always high and the "musts" are always abundant, so there's a strong sense of safety. They squeeze their kids until the kids can't wait to leave home, and as soon as they do, they rebel.

Fourth: The Authoritative Parent is authoritative — not an overbearing authoritarian, but a compassionate yet firm authority. They have clear boundaries but are also very loving. Everyone knows who the boss is, but there's also a connection between parents and child, a consideration that respects and honors who the child is while not compromising his or her disciplinary needs. The result is a child high in self-esteem and equipped with good coping skills.

What kind of parent are you – were you? Do we have a generation of young people who, in some instances, are emulating/imitating their parents with negativity, rebellion or resentment?

Prayerfully – consider these things with me!