What is happening to our children? The Cult Of Greed - Part Three

Who do our children look up to today? Who are their role models? What overriding message is society sending to them?

In my previous post I identified the role of parents (or lack of parenting) which is contributing to 'what is happening to our children'.

But as a teacher of college age students I believe that there is an even more dangerous and insidious element which is contributing to the state we find our children in today.

I call this element 'The Cult Of Greed'. What do I mean by this?

Well let me break the problem into three messages we send to our kids:

1. Happiness is only found through having lots of 'stuff'

2. To have lots of stuff, you need to make lots of money.

3. If you have to step on people or break the law to make lots of money, well that's ok...because even if you get caught, chances are that if you are famous enough, or wealthy enough you will get away with it!

Who is responsible for sending our kids this message? The most 'visible' people in our society that's who! And who enables society to get this message out there? The Media that's who!

Our kids are fed this message every minute of every day.

The Paris's, the Lindsay's and the Kim's of this world who are famous for being 'famous' are the first of the 'voices' our kids get to hear.

They tell our kids that the most important thing in life is to be famous. You don't have to be intelligent (actually it helps if your not).

They promote the 'consumerist culture'; the more stuff you buy the happier and more popular you will be.

In the case of Paris and Lindsay you can break the law more than once, you might get a slap on the wrist, but who cares because ultimately you will become more famous as a result! In fact the naughtier you are the more the media will love you because controversy sells!

Then there's the sports stars of the world. In Australia it's certain football players. They make lots of money. They do drugs and bash each other up. They abuse young girls.

Are there consequences for this behavior? Very often not, because these football players are famous and draw crowds. Their clubs will do anything to keep them on the field and keep them playing.

And lastly let us turn to politicians and the corporate world.

Politicians make promises they constantly break - read they lie to us! They put their personal ambitions and their personal pockets before the needs of their countrymen.

As for the corporate world - need I say anymore - The GFC! We are all presently suffering the consequences of corporate greed the likes of which the world has never seen! The consequences which we will experience for years to come.

So what are we teaching our kids?

If you are powerful, famous or rich enough, you can get away with blue murder.

There are no consequences and there is no accountability.

So when my students tell me they don't care because the world is going down the toilet and its everyman for themselves, what do I say to them?

To be honest with you I don't know what to say. I'm not blind I can see what is happening to our world, and like my students I feel the same despondency and the same sense of hopelessness.

What do you think? I welcome your feedback. Send me a message.