Singaporean Parents - Bah!

"Excuse me," the voice rumbled from behind. I shuffled aside only to have the man's finger shoved next to my face, after which the imperative "You.Go.Down." was heard. Like clockwork, I did as I was told . As he surged forward, he grunted, "So stupid." Then it hit me. Why should I tolerate this from time to time again? Is it due to my petite frame? Having good manners is one value right up on my priority list. Apparently riled, I told the man that his derogatory remark was uncalled for. With a son in tow, he had the cheek to raise his voice at me. Here was a man who knew little that his behaviour would be aped by his son in time to come. After all, children are reflections of their parents. Ironically, these are the parents who would be baffled when their children's lives are derailed.

Courtesy begins at home. How true that cliche is. Inculcation through textbook-based lessons are only sufficient to pass moral education written tests. The real life lessons begin with the parents. It's sad that parents these days fail to see the root of their children's problems begin with, well, the parents themselves. They're quick to point an accusing finger at the school, the teachers, the child's peers, the education system, the government, the nation, the region.....anything but themselves. We see an increasing number of parents with high levels of education. Does this translate to a more cultured & dignified generation of children? No. Increasingly, children are throwing more tantrums, being more disrespectful, displaying open defiance to authority and simply blase in the face of punishment. Why? Well, well, well. I've news for you. Encountering parents from different walks of life, there's no surprise to reach this conclusion: parents' mannerisms are often mimicked by their own children. Subtly, gradually, but surely, the osmosis reaches completion when the children grow up. Only then do these pompous parents throw their hands up in despair, agonize over the recurring situation and seek divine help in desperation.

The Ugly Singaporean Parent Epidemic has certainly reached gargantuan proportions.

-Enter Stage Right-

Act I Scene I:
On the train, kids are screaming and speeding across the carriage.
- Parents then: Spank the brat, give them a earful of warnings and rebuke the fella for behaving in an
inappropriate manner publicly.
- Parents today: Ignore the brat(s), engage in chatter among themselves, occasionally gush "Boy, careful ah!" in
loving admonishment, if that's not an irony in itself.

Act II Scene II:
At a buffet spread, the prawns/crabs/lobsters/expensive seafood have just been dished out.
- Parents then: Individual portions for each member of the family. Simulatneous double portions are frowned
upon. One must finish his individual portion before heading back for a second helping.
- Parents today: Children are the ultimate buffet ammunition -- Load the kid with a plate, Aim for the
appropriate moment, Charge him forward for double servings, ousting the rest in glee.

Act III Scene III:
In school, the teacher points out a child's errant behaviour to his/her parents.
- Parents then: Whack the bugger in the presence of the teacher "Why didn't you behave?" / "Why are you so naughty?" / "Why are you always like that?" , thank the teacher for bringing this critical issue to their attention, throw the kid a wait-till-we-get-home-this-isn't-over glare.
- Parents now: "But my child isn't like that at home." / "Are you sure?" / "I'm sure other children are worse." /
"Kids are like that." Sure, be on the defence team. When your child hits home run with a shelter for delinquents, don't cry foul then.

Don't blame it on external forces. Don't blame it on the media. Don't blame it on Iraq. (Yes, you see how pointless these arguments are, don't you?) We can have all the let's-be-gracious-and-all-its-synonyms campaigns in the world and yet nothing will change, if not degenerate, if parents persist in this moral myopia fail to prune their children right from the start.

-Exeunt Stage Left -