Generation Gap

Author(s): Dada Bhagwan
Publisher: Dada Bhagwan Foundation

Page 17

At the dinner table some fathers create a big fuss if there is too much salt in the food or something is not to his liking. They think that just because they are the heads of the household, they have the right to flare up at any time. The children are terrified by such outbursts. They think that their father has gone mad, but they dare not utter a single word. So they suppress their emotions, but in their minds they form an opinion about their father. (P.51)
Disobedience in children reflects on parents. It is the parents who are at fault. So I have labeled them, “Unqualified fathers and unqualified mothers". It is no wonder the children turn out the way they do. That is why I tell you to learn the requirements of a certified parent before you marry. (P.59)
Children are tired of witnessing such scenes between their parents. Some even decide that they will not get married. When I ask them why, they tell me they have seen what marriage is all about when they witness their parents fighting and that they have come to the conclusion that there is no happiness in marriage. (P.53)
The father does not know the first thing about how to live life or how the world operates, so he keeps beating his children. Some fathers thrash their children as though they were dirty clothes. Children should be given the help to improve, not beaten. It is very wrong to beat children. I have seen people physically abuse their children as if they were punching bags. (P.62)
(4) UNCERTIFIED FATHERS AND MOTHERS
Real parents are those who manage to change their children's behavior through love and understanding, even when the child does dreadful things. But such love is not to be found, because the parents themselves are loveless. This world can only be won over through love. (P.63)
A father once complained to me that his children had become defiant. I told him that their defiance was a reflection of his own past conduct. If he were a worthy father, his children would not retaliate. By making such complaints, he was exposing his own negativities. (P.57)
Questioner: Should we not be concerned at all about our children's upbringing and their moral values?
D adashri: There is nothing wrong with showing concern.
If you keep nagging your children and telling them off, they will become spoilt. Entrust them to me if you want them to be good. I will talk to them and mold them so that they will become good.
Questioner: They can get their education from school, but what about development of their character?