In this day and age, children still need training

In our society today, there is moral depravity to the extent that many youths and children these days think being courteous and greeting an elder is, by their standards, doing the elder a favour.

Last week, I witnessed a child being scolded by his parents for refusing to greet a family friend all because she cautioned him over a bad behavior in the past. It was shocking because back in the days, who dared put up such unruly behavior in the presence of their parents. What happened to the saying that the society trains a child and not just parents?

Aisha Bello, 40-year-old consultant, says, “It’s crazy and quite disturbing how children and many young youths are becoming something else by forgetting their morals and home training. That is why I like the Yoruba culture; even though I am Hausa, they train their children from the moment they can speak and walk to kneel and prostrate when greeting elders. My daughter kneels whenever she wants to greet me and visitors. That is why I always take delight in watching Mrs. Osinbajo kneel whenever she is greeting an elder, that woman is an embodiment of everything culture and tradition.”

Obinna Dike, 43-year-old civil servant, believes it’s not just children who have such problems. “Is it only children, even adults find it hard to greet these days and I always find myself asking what the problem really is with Nigerians. Some feel too big to extend pleasantries, even if you greet them, they just ignore or respond with the wave of a hand, Really sad development in our society.”

Abosede Akinola, 34-year-old computer analyst, says, “Sometimes, greeting isn’t the problem but not adding sir or ma is what annoys people. Over time, I have noticed that our society takes pleasure in being addressed with titles. I have witnessed instances where persons are embarrassed because they simply did not add sir/ma while greeting. This only happens in a society like ours. In the western world, people greet even by addressing you by your name, but try that here in Nigeria and you are finished.”

Abosede’s friend, Hannah Moses, 38-year-old consultant, however disagrees with her. “You see, that is where we always miss the point. It is not about an African or Western issue, it’s basically about giving respect to whom it’s due. Respect is a world thing; we all have cultures that emphasize respect and for us in Africa greeting with context is part of it.

Ramatu Aliyu, 44-year-old head teacher, says, “Children of these days are mannerless and it only goes to show that parents have failed in their responsibility to bring up well-mannered children. From the age the child starts talking, he/she should learn to greet. I know of some people who say parents should earn respect from their children. Do they even realize what they are talking about? Earn respect from your children? Children, no matter what, should give their parents the respect they deserve and not necessarily waiting for their parents to earn it. They are our children for crying out loud.”