18th Feb 2008
Appreciating Our Parents
Parental respect is something that I really struggle with as a “mental hygiene” topic. On one hand, it’s the most ancient forms of respecting authority (codified in the fifth commandment), and they do things in your best interest (as well as they understand it). On the other, the notion that parents are infallible is hardly correct, and part of growing up is realizing that you’re an individual and don’t have to be exactly like them.
If push comes to shove, I’m raising my kids to obey me. Question all you want, but do as I say until you’re not living in my house any more. I expect some rebellion, especially once they arrive in adolescence, but hopefully they listen enough to stay out of overly serious trouble.
Anyhow, here’s the 1950 Coronet Instruction Film, “Appreciating Our Parents.” Tommy is basically spoiled rotten until he sees his parents washing the dishes together and realizes his life would be horrible without their hard work.
(I love the scene where Mother gets her allowance at the same time as Tommy.)
What is most interesting is that Tommy decides to go from useless load to ultra-helpful, all on his own initiative. Sadly, it’s school that had to guilt children into this attitude by showing them this film, instead of parents guilting children into doing their share around the house.
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