Radio Commentary
An
ethic of caring is worth fostering among our children if we want to live in a
society that is compassionate and kind.
Research
confirms what commonsense tells us: the more a young person values compassion, kindness,
and helping people, the more likely he or she is to actually help out when the
need arises.
That’s why it is important
to promote values of caring in our communities, our schools, our families, and
our congregations.
This
is especially the case in modern times, when the media messages that bombard
our young people are filled with conflicting values – violence, celebrity
worship, materialism, and very little of the old-fashioned “sweet” stories
young people used to hear and see at every turn.
It’s
unlikely a young person will develop caring values unless he or she is
constantly exposed to adults who model and reward them.
This
would include parents and teachers, plus a broad array of other adults and role
models as well.
What’s
more, it is critical that these values be reinforced in young people’s everyday
lives, in order to override the competing messages that surround them through
music, videos, and games.
Though
we live in times when the country appears polarized and fragmented, the goal of
fostering an ethic of caring is not impossible to achieve.
It
will take a concerted effort among those who value that outcome. It’s clear we
ALL have our work cut out for us if we want to succeed. I, for one, feel deeply
that it is worth the effort.
