Editor,
I am writing to bring attention to a growing concern that seems to be slipping through the cracks of our society: the erosion of gratitude among schoolchildren, particularly students and youths under the age of 20.
It has been observed in the capital region that school students and youths under the age of 20 have been a very ungrateful generation, inclining towards being highly egocentric. As a community, we need to address this issue before the values of appreciation and acknowledgment fade away entirely.
In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in simple expressions of gratitude, such as saying ‘thank you’. It appears that these fundamental manners are becoming less common among our youths, raising concerns about the future of basic politeness and respect.
Parents play a pivotal role in shaping the values and behaviours of their children, and it is from the home that the foundation of gratitude should be instilled. Unfortunately, many children are not being taught the importance of expressing gratitude for the kindness shown to them.
Gratitude is more than just saying ‘thank you’; it is about recognising and acknowledging the efforts and kindness of others. When children are not taught to appreciate the gestures of others, they miss out on valuable lessons in empathy, kindness, and respect.
It is imperative that parents take responsibility for nurturing a sense of gratitude in their children from an early age. Simple acts such as saying ‘thank you’, writing thank-you notes, or expressing appreciation for acts of kindness should be encouraged and reinforced at home.
Moreover, parents should lead by example, demonstrating gratitude in their own interactions and modelling the behaviour they wish to see in their children. By fostering an environment of appreciation and acknowledgment within the family, we can help ensure that these essential values are carried forward into future generations.
A concerned citizen