The Young and the Old

A man in his mid-70s related the story of how his granddaughter who lives with her parents next door, `bused’ him when he asked her to collect some groceries that he had forgotten at a shop in the village.

“Why you can’t walk and collect them yourself’? The teenager retorted and continued, ‘Furthermore I don’t know why you bothering me, I have enough to do; when you see me don’t tell me anything.’ The elderly man said to his granddaughter: ‘Don’t bother with you, you won’t get old?’ and the granddaughter replied, ‘Not for now.’

Some young people seem to have little regard for senior citizens nowadays and tend to treat them more like a hindrance than a person who should be shown respect and given tender loving care.

While it can be accepted that the disparity in age between the generations is wide, there still are no grounds for young people to be impolite to older family members (or old people) or insensitive to their needs.
On the contrary, young people should be delighted to be in a position to assist older people whenever they are able.

They should find joy in giving a helping hand to someone who no doubt held them as babies and saw to their needs when they cried or needed to be fed, alongside their parents. But such a bond does not need to exist for children to have respect for older people. Showing care for senior citizens in our environment is the correct and honourable thing to do. If children are taught this simple fact, as they grow it will become a genuine pleasure for them to be aware of their seniors and be helpful towards them when the need arises.

Old people were not born old, as children may or may not have the insight to analyse; they are sharing the same life and breathing the same air as everyone else, but at a different stage.

That does not make them any less of a person; it simply means that they may not be able to do as much as they did when they were younger. This is usually because with age comes ailments. It is all part of the process of life and it is a stage of life that most people will experience if they are privileged to live many years on this earth.

The mere fact that elderly people have been afforded this privilege is yet another reason why they should be treasured. Parents should ensure that their children have a good relationship with their grandparents.

It can be difficult for young people to comprehend the many changes and events that older people have witnessed during their decades, but being able to listen to older folks while they share memories are moments to cherish. It is important for children to realise that old people have feelings too and do not want to feel as if they are imposing on anyone or being a burden.

As far back in time as anyone can remember, older people have always played a significant role as advice-givers. They may belong to a different generation, but older people have lived through pretty much the same experiences as their children and grandchildren, minus technology.

Basic human life such as, love, work, goals, and anxieties, child-bearing and rearing: sickness and health and more have not changed considerably in 100 years. Although the details may have evolved a little, the basics remain the same; seeking advice from elders can make them feel valued and worthy, instead of worthless.

When grown-ups show little or no respect to their parents, it follows that their offspring will do the same, hence the situation portrayed earlier where the granddaughter ‘bused’ her grandfather when he asked for her assistance.

In this new year let us make it our duty to ensure that our children understand and in turn appreciate the cycle of life, because all too soon our older folk will be gone. Teach them to treat senior citizens with the reverence and respect they deserve: after all, it may be only a matter of time before they will need the same reverence and respect extended to them.
(If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION)

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