Parents' Vs Children's Rights

'Sheena, a 3-year old girl, was found dead, lying next to her mother and brother just hours after her father fell to his death from their Tampines flat.' - ST

A father who was heavily in debt, decided to end his own life and felt that he could not leave his family behind so he brought his entire family along too. Was he being loving, selfish or cruel? He was being loving since he wanted the whole family to stay together through thick and thin. He was being selfish when he decided that the best way to solve his problem (to commit suicide) was also the only way out for his family. He was cruel to have ended the lives of his entire family, especially that of his children, prematurely. Does bringing the children into this world, give parents the rights to take their lives back also? Don't children have their rights to remain alive? Most of the time, if not all the time, parents feel that whatever they are doing for their children are always for the children's own good. That is only true to a certain extent as what parents feel is best for their children might not turn out to be best for the kids. Though no sensible parents would do anything to harm their children, what they have in mind might not be what their children have in theirs. Most parents have the misconception that they know their kids best since they have grown up under their upbringing and that they can decide for the kids what should be done and what should not. That might be true when the children are still young but as they mature through the years, parents have to realise that their kids do have their own minds and their own way of thinking. Thus, when parents cannot accept the mentality of their children and the children can't accept those of their parents, conflicts occur. And when that happens, the bond between the children and the parents is broken and if left 'un-mended', the relationship will drift apart and eventually turn sour. On the other hand, parents who are 'up-to-date' with their children's feelings and desires will enjoy a lasting relationship with their kids. Of course, children must also understand the concerns of their parents and not insist on having everything their ways. Just as nobody is perfect, parents and children need to tolerate each other mistakes and respect each other rights as a human being. If you are one of those who are not satisfied with your parents, do you think you can be a better parent yourself? What kind of parent do you think you will be when you have your own family? Do give it a thought and then think about what your parents are going through now. The fact is, it's never easy to be a parent, what more a good one. So just as you don't want your parents to expect too much from you, don't expect too much from them too. Just understand each other needs and concerns and things should work out fine.

~~~ Stay Positive! Stay Happy! ~~~
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