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 common sense tells us: the more young people value compassion,
kindness, and helping people, the more likely they are 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 these days, 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
is unlikely a young person will develop caring values unless he or she is continually
exposed to adults who model and reward them.
This
includes parents and teachers, as well as 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, games, and television.
Though
we live in a time 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 is 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.
