Today’s techno-centric ways are affecting people’s lives to the core. The warm, loving atmosphere at home has changed. Many families now are like a bunch of strangers that only occasionally gather together; and when they do, they no longer communicate the way family members used to.
I dread to see that day when our young people would completely lose their courtesy towards their elders. It would be such a disaster to hear the young calling their elders by their first names, like they are peers. Many young people now think that they are more knowledgeable than their parents, simply because the parents are rather slow in catching up with the fast-changing modern technology.
On rare times when the family could come to dinner together, everyone is quietly busy at something. The father is focused on his laptop, the mother on her Ipad, while the kids are also tinkering with their cellphones. They may all be physically present but they are mentally elsewhere.
Is it possible to establish strong family ties this way? Is this scenario good for our children? Is this what we want future generations to experience? I am very much saddened by this new trend.
It’s true that we cannot stop change. Change may be the only permanent thing in this world. But we need to be smart enough to keep away from change that eats away at our established beautiful traditions. Let us welcome change – but not at the cost of our cherished values.
As an educator, as a Cebuano, as a citizen of the world, as a child of God, I embrace only the change that makes us better. And I know I am not alone who feels this way. I know there are many parents and grandparents out there like me.
I wish to rally everyone to do something to preserve the beautiful Cebuano family traditions. Let us look back to how we were brought up by our own parents, to how to strong the family bond was back then. Let us do our best to bring back that time when the family really stood as one, truly united by love and respect for one another.
While there is no doubt that we can still do something to reverse this alarming change in family life, if we work together at it, let us not also forget to anchor all our efforts in the Lord Almighty. “With God all things are possible.” If we bring back God to rule in our homes, nothing can go wrong.
We must remember that the family is the basic unit of society. Thus, it is a very vital element in nation building. A loving, united family makes a united, peaceful nation and a peaceful, happy world.
And it can all begin by teaching our children the simple equation: Papa + Mama + I love you = Family. It can be done. My only hope is that we will take the initiative to do it.