Having read the above blog by Robert Paterson something struck me today - my son will never learn the things from me which I learnt from my dad. The way our kids are educated is changing into a factory -they are sitting and listening - similar to that which they do in front of the TV - and this is changing them. Once again have a look at the above blog - he has much more insight into the effect modern life is having on our children.
This is scaring me - where I was able to watch my dad do tinkering on the car, do some woodwork in the house - something he was looking forward to on retirement but never able to do as cancer claimed him at 54 - my son lives in a rented house, cars are serviced by a dealer, everything is bought and replaceable. We went camping often when I was a kid - getting away from the familiar home life to a place where we could spend time together.
What values am I teaching my son:
That money is all important?What do I hope that by giving him an education which he would not get back in South Africa:
That it is Ok to run away if things are not ok?
That values are transient - that we can change this?
That family is not important?
Is going to make him a better human being?
Is going to enable him to re-act better to the quick changing Global Society we live in?
Is he missing a vital interaction to people, family and friends that was left behind?
I will have to sit down and think carefully:
About why we left out home country South-Africa?
Would we be ever be able to go back?
And if we stayed - what would he have been able to gain out of a country where crime is prevalent, corruption is to be increasing, government services is close to collapse and my experience and education is meaningless because I am white?
On the other hand - what are we doing here in a country which sees me as something to be used and to be thrown away once I have outlived my usefulness?
As you can see - I have at this moment lots more questions than answers ... and a lot of thinking to do.
3 comments:
""what are we doing here in a country which sees me as something to be used and to be thrown away once I have outlived my usefulness?""
~ that my friend is a fear and insecurity that many expats live with in this part of the world. Ever since i was a kid.. i have seen my dad fret about not knowing how long he is needed in the company he works for... funny enough, after i have started working, i can see the same insecurities creeping up inside of me as well.... i find it best to take it 'one day at a time'
I was born here and have lived here all my life ~ and i dont seem to have a sense of belonging to this country at all... maybe i am just bitter from seeing the many things that i can't have - such as, impressive number plates on expensive fast cars... or maybe its the very same thought of 'outliving my usefulness' that makes me wonder where i belong.....
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