Age of Innocence? Is Your Child growing Up Without a Childhood?
What would life be like without a childhood? The years of imagination, wonder and innocence that shape every one of us, gone. Would the absence of this stage of life subsequently reshape adulthood into years of insecurity and cynicism? My childhood was countless hours of imaginative play in the backyard. One day I would brandish a stick as my sword and duel with my brother. Another, I would be a princess held captive in our tree fort by an evil villain who was also, of course, my brother. For many reasons this age of innocence is being stolen from today's children. The present generation of pre-adolescents have to face challenges like no other generation before them. The pressure of society forces the innocent to grow up too fast and shoves them into adulthood way before they are ready. This theft of innocence is especially true for today's girl.
It is a parent's responsibility to fight for the innocence of this generation. Parents need to be very aware of what is going on in their daughter's life because if not there are plenty of outside influences ready to seize the precious gift of childhood.
One of the ways girls are being forced into premature adulthood is through their search for love and acceptance. Society tells these girls the only way to find love and acceptance is through male/female relationships. Now even elementary school children are beginning the all-consuming stage of "going out" or dating. Some parents may not see harm in this and may even think it is cute. Because they are still children love and unconditional acceptance needs to come from the home. It is very dangerous for a young girl to fulfill the need for love and acceptance through the boys around her.
The most dangerous way our society is pushing adulthood is through the over-sexualization of our culture. Even our children are being desensitized. Because of the manner in which today's media has infiltrated our minds, even clothing companies are selling "sexy" to younger and younger audiences. Girls are taught in elementary school their self-worth is found only through their outward beauty. They are also being taught sexuality is a tool to manipulate others and to get what they want.
This is why it is so important to be involved in your child's life. Because the influence of school is a huge factor, parents need to be aware of what is taking place in their daughter's life. Parents need to be proactive in getting to know the daughter's friends and what they are doing with their time. Many parents today are immobilized because they believe their child has a right to privacy when, in fact, the opposite is true. The home should be an open environment to practice communication and trust-building. This is established by example and takes time to build. Parents open the doors for communication with their kids only by spending quality, one-on-one time with them.
One thing our children have a right to is a childhood. The years of fun and imagination have been replaced by adult relationship worries and frustrations. Girls should be playing princess not on the prowl for Prince Charming. Jesus calls us to have a childlike faith because there is innocence in that. It is the job of today's parent to fight for their daughter's innocence!