Filipino parents desire to give whatever is best for their children.  They want them to attain success in their lifetime.  However, parents and educators often focus mainly on the cognitive skills necessary for academic competence.  They must also be concerned about children’s social, emotional and moral development as the world nowadays is more complex and filled with contradictions The rate at which information is accessible across the globe at the same moment in time is both an advantage and a risk especially if our children do not have the tools to be discriminating critical and steadfast in their beliefs and principles.

            Morality must be developed among the youth of the land.  Parents must raise their children to be morally upright.  This will guide them in the struggle in the turbulent current of life.  Try a variety of techniques, i.e., disciplinary action when needed.  Have children the natural consequences for their actions.  Privileges must be earned through a behavioral point system.

            We have to make sure that our children’s time is used well for studies, household responsibilities and leisure time.  Filipino families tend to expect less of children at home, especially in household chores and this is a wasted opportunity for teaching responsibility.  Children’s leisure hours should not b dominated by TV viewing and playing computers.  They are better off playing with peers or with parents.  Children lose a lot of creative playtime and become less energetic by spending too much time watching television and playing computers.

            In contrast with the U.S. citizens, where morality is taboo, Filipinos can still be proud that they have some morals.  Though some crimes and sexual desires are prevalent among youngsters nowadays, some still believes that morality is essential in developing our youth.

By: Essel E. Reyes Alasasin E/S, Alasasin, Mariveles, Bataan