Babies are cute, sweet and precious but as a father of two pre-schoolers and
two grown children, I have noticed that babies are like little savages. They
only care about getting what they want right now. They will do anything they
can think of to get it. I had to repeatedly correct my children: "No hit. No
kick. No bite. No scratch. No screech." They would be dangerous if they weren't
so helpless.
Children do respond well to love and patient teaching. In about fifteen years,
they can be trained to be barbarians. Teenagers are still mainly interested in
getting what they want but they have learned more socially acceptable ways to
get it. However, they are no longer helpless and can be very dangerous. The
vast majority of crimes are committed by young males. I used to think that
only males were barbarians until I realized that females fight with words
instead of fists.
In about ten years, barbarians usually mature into civilized adults who have
learned to be responsible and dependable members of society. They have learned
to consider other peoples needs and feelings. They will often give up their
own wants in order to satisfy someone elses needs.
The most common factor that turns a barbarian into a civilized adult is to
have a family. There is a sobering and steadying influence in being committed
to maintaining a relationship. This is even stronger when a baby comes into
the family. Suddenly a helpless individual is totally dependent on his or her
parents for their every need. The parents have to give up time, activities,
even sleep, to care for this new responsibility.
How ironic that baby savages are mainly responsible for turning barbarians
into civilized adults.
If you have questions or comments, please email me.
