When a teenage boy imbibes the correct teaching and guidance at an early age, many societal problems can be resolved. Parenting plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious world. The need of the hour is to develop capable human beings. Following are the 7 important things to teach your teenage son, enriching his humanistic ideals. By applying these guidelines, a humanistic and societal revolution would transform the world for the better, raising individuals with incredible values.
Notion of equality-Being a Feminist
“My mom raised me to be a feminist, I am proud to say that I am a feminist. We shouldn’t be afraid of the word ‘feminist’. Men and women should use it to describe themselves anytime they want.” These golden words were said by the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. He represents the idea of equality in true aspects by being a feminist. He has often emphasized about the fact that his parents always taught him to respect and treat every individual equally regardless of their gender. Henceforth it is vital to teach your son about the notion of equality.
Women are free thinkers just like men- The Human Lens
Women also belong to the human species and they are no different than men. They are not inferior in any aspect. All human beings are free thinkers and hence the notion of feeling inferior or superior should not arise. An idea needs to be enforced about the capability of women and the power they behold. From working outdoors, dressing the way they wish to, getting educated and all the other rights that men have, all of it exists for women too. Discrimination needs to be strictly prohibited. Every individual has a potential to excel in life and nothing can change this truth. The thought of respecting every human being regardless of their sexual orientation needs to be instilled in your sons.
Being sensitive – Feeling emotions
It is important to be sensitive towards people and situations. Being compassionate and feeling emotions is a sign of strength and not weakness. Men can also express emotions through various ways. You need to tell your son that it is absolutely normal to cry. It shows strength and represents the value of life. For instance a baby cries when he/ she is born. Being sensitive is a natural phenomenon of life which does not need to be curbed, regardless of the gender.
Teaching household chores: cooking
Indulging in household chores basically means doing your own work. Everyone needs to be responsible in doing their basic work and not be dependent on someone else. When men start contributing in household work, the idea of collective effort will be enforced, explaining the importance of household chores, not being valued in our society. Women are not destined to be household workers. Every individual ought to be responsible for the household work. It does not make the men inferior, rather more sensitive towards others. So teach your son to be a responsible individual by enabling him to do household chores.
Deconstructing the colour ideology attached with ‘Pink’
Wearing pink coloured clothes does not categorize you as being ‘gay’ or a ‘woman’. A colour needs to be appreciated and not be stereotyped with any stigma. By deconstructing the ideology behind the colour pink, let your son associate with any colour.
Sex education- Sex is not a taboo
It is imperative that you give sex education to your son at the right time. The society has created a tabooed the word ‘sex’. Educate your son about sex in a wise way. Do not make him hate the word as it is merely a natural phenomenon. By educating them about sex at the right time, a lot of problems can be curbed like teenage crimes.These days boys are molested too. By educating them about sex and making them aware of bad touch and good touch, many criminal activities can be nullified.
To have tolerance and acceptance
By inculcating tolerance and acceptance in your son’s life, major problems of our world can get resolved. Teach your son to be tolerant towards everything, be it class, caste or gender. Intolerance results in anger. According to Buddha, “holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Hence the notion of being tolerant towards life needs to be harboured in your teenage son. Acceptance is a part of being tolerant. At times, when the acceptance is not there, a need to take revenge arises. Tell your son, accepting the truth is better than taking revenge as the power of Karma is immense.To have tolerance and acceptance displays a powerful human quality.
