Dr. Khumukcham Robindro
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science,
Manipur University
In today’s competitive world, the word “values” are eroding fast. There is a total decadence in social and moral values. A child goes to school daily thinking of how to scale the heights to which they want to reach and how rich education can make them change for their life. At the same time, they have to fulfil what their parents are expecting from them. On the other hand, parents are instructing their child to be the topper in the class. The criteria for promotion in schools are marks, but not moral values of life. But, actually if we really sit and think, childhood is a very impressionable age. Their minds are like soft wax, so whatever one is taught at a tender age it leaves a deep impression. Moral values are not religion-based matters. Rather it eliminates fanaticism, superstition and violence. It preaches love all serve all. This value is lacking in today’s generation. It helps a child to pay heed to his conscience. They are not to be led away by worldly show.
Moral development shapes the child’s decision-making process. His/her experiences from birth helps to mold the moral development. Therefore, the stems of morality are mainly from parents’ influence on children through their parenting practices, disciplinary strategies, and parenting styles. The hierarchical nature of parent-child relationships constrain children’s moral development.
A moral value is a science of human soul; it’s a mirror of one’s inward mind, one’s ethics. It inculcates values in mankind and value education which is one of the vital component needed from childhood. Every parent wants to raise their child with a strong sense of right and wrong. They even might want to start by cultivating their morality as well as empathy. Parents play a significant role in instilling the moral which we feel valuable. From honesty and respect to generosity and kindness, parenting techniques can help to shape the little one into a moral adult. The behaviour of a parent is a powerful teacher for the child. Actions teach the child about the moral values. It is easy to say but if we don’t put these values into practice in day today’s life it can’t expect the child to learn.
Basically moral development of a child starts from home only so it is the responsibilities for every parent to create a moral environment in every home and family. It affects the type of moral in which the child develops. Showing respect to family members and expecting it in return supports a moral environment. The way the child is being treated, from everyday tasks to discipline, affects his/her moral development. A child who is treated with insensitivity lacks a connection with others and may lack a solid moral foundation. Showing empathy toward the child when he/she is upset teaches him/her to empathize with others. Disciplining in a respectful, loving way teaches him/her right from wrong without compromising the moral you want him/her to learn. For example, instead of screaming and cursing at the child, use a calm but stern voice to discipline him/her. Giving responsibilities to the child around the house also contributes to his/her moral development.
Another role of parents is related with being role-model. Children also learn values from their parents as models. Young children have social experiences with physical and psychological harm, fair distribution and the violation of rights through their experiences of rules, rule violations, and peer conflicts. By considering children’s possible social experiences, parents can help children to gain moral development concepts. Rather than giving advices to their children about moral concepts, parents should try to behave like that (not only saying but also doing) and to make them observe that their parents are respectful to each other’s rights. For instance, parents can make their children to learn the trust concept by providing them to trust the parents. Family-child interactions provide parental warmth, involvement and support which enable children to develop moral reasoning. Hence, parents should be careful in their relationships and use affective interactions. In the social domain view, parents’ communications with their children are crucial in the construction of moral knowledge. By explaining the reasons for rules, trying to apply these rules in the house, giving appropriate reactions when children violate the rules, parents can enable their children to think critically about their actions so that they obtain moral development.
Although the effect of peers on children must not be ignoring, the role of parents is utmost importance in moral development of their children. Children of similar age tend to follow how they behave toward each other. They learn the concepts of harm, justice and rights through these interactions. That is, their moral development can consist of harming and violating the rights. By directing their children to have friendship with particular peers, parents can provide these children to develop morally.
Finally, it is concluded that parents play an important role in the moral development of their children. Hence, parents should have awareness about children’s possible social experiences and give importance to affective and cognitive components of parent-child interactions.
