I read an interesting blog the other day, about instilling values about money, and finance in general in kids..http://jezziemapuche.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/how-to-raise-a-financially-savvy-child/
As a mother of a four year old, I am constantly trying to instill the right values in him at an early age, and the world around us scares me all the time..
Just two days back, my cousin visited me. She is a first year medical student, and we got into an argument regarding the proposed compulsory one year rural internship. It has been apparent from the newspapers that the move has been opposed strongly by students all over India, but I was shocked when she also supported the popular view that rural training wasn’t necessary and important, as it wouldn’t bring in any money…..It all boils down to money finally… She was actually under the impression that rural service meant working in slums… No matter what I said, she wouldn’t agree that there was a world of difference between a village and a slum. That’s when I realised that most of the youngsters today, born and brought up in metros, haven’t seen a village in their lives.. They don’t really know what the real India is like, deep in the heart of villages…That most of India doesn’t live in cities, but in the villages, is only a textbook concept to them.
Again, all that the current generation cares about is MONEY. They all want to study in a field which will get them a job as soon as possible, a job which will pay them 5 figures to begin with. As soon as they get a job, they want to buy a car, and then a house, go abroad, and the get married. All this, before they are 25. And parents don’t seem to mind either…Of course,who listens to parents anyway !
On one hand, we have people who have given up good jobs abroad, and are working in slums and villages, trying to help people lead a better life, like some of the Times of India Lead India finalists, and on the other hand, we have a majority of the youth running after materialistic things…. We need far more of the former to actually make a difference….’
Which brings me back to my main area of concern… My child… I sincerely hope he grows up to be a good human being, trying to help other people, and I am trying my best to make him so…..
Taking a leaf from Sudha Murthy whom I admire, I make him give clothes and toys he has outgrown to our maid, who has a child of his age. It helps that I live with my in-laws, who are extremely generous by nature, and provide food, clothing , and books to the needy year after year. It also helps that my husband and father-in-law are involved in voluntary service activities in villages near Mumbai under the aegis of the Sathya Sai Organisation….. I try my best to expose him to all these activities as much as possible, and yet, I am worried.
Maybe I am just a mother, who worries all the time, but when I open the paper in the morning and read about rapes, suicides, and shootings by students, it worries me.. I am trying my best, and I only hope that the one up there stands by me.
I am sure there are many other mothers like me out there. I would like to hear from all of you….
