In today’s society, a lot of what we call “bad behaviour” in children is really a reflection of the environment that surrounds them. Children do not grow in isolation; they absorb whatever the home, school, and community expose them to. When these spaces fail to give them guidance, structure, and healthy support, the results will naturally show in how they behave.
Parenting has changed a lot over the years. Man
y parents are overwhelmed, stressed, or too busy trying to balance survival with responsibilities. Others believe that giving a child everything they want is the same as showing love. As a result, discipline has become a sensitive topic. Parents often defend their children even when the child is clearly wrong. In some homes, there is no routine, no moral direction, and no limits. Screens have replaced bonding time, and many children grow up without learning patience, empathy, or self-control.
In the past, raising a child was a community effort. If a child misbehaved on the street, an adult could correct the child, and the parents appreciated it. Today, the opposite happens. Correcting a child outside your home can cause trouble because some parents see it as an attack instead of guidance. This shift has removed one of the strongest support systems children used to have.
Schools are also feeling the impact. Teachers today are expected to perform miracles without the authority they once had. Corporal punishment has been discouraged, which many agree is good, but nothing meaningful has taken its place. Some students disrespect teachers openly, disrupt learning, and even become violent. When teachers report these behaviours, some parents defend the child blindly instead of working with the school to find solutions. In such a climate, discipline becomes almost impossible.
It is also true that not every child who acts out has ADHD or another disorder. Many behaviours come from a lifestyle filled with excessive screen time, lack of outdoor play, poor sleep, soft parenting, and little face-to-face interaction. Instead of addressing these root causes, society often rushes to label and medicate children. This quick fix does nothing to help the child grow into a balanced adult.
The sad part is that children are the ones who suffer the consequences. When they lack discipline and emotional control now, they struggle with relationships, work, and responsibility later in life. They miss the chance to build resilience, learn respect, and develop strong values.
Real change will only come when parents, schools, and the community accept their shared responsibility. Parents must set firm boundaries at home. Schools must create consistent systems of discipline. The community must return to supporting families instead of standing aside. When all three work together, we can raise children who are confident, respectful, and ready for the future.
Good! But these days, nobody cares about your children. It's just you and you alone ( or should I say your God and your family alone). Society only cares when your child is a disgrace, and they envy when your child is a hero.
Schools only perform their responsibilities according to their area of specialty. The work is on the parents and parents alone.