MONSTER PARENTS

Nowadays, many couples prefer not to have children. On the other hand, for those who are willing to suffer pregnancy and delivery, many are being labelled MONSTERS nowadays, at least in Hong Kong. Parents in their thirties or forties today were raised up in the seventies or eighties in the last century when economy was booming. Living standard was high and parents back in those years were too much occupied in making money. To compensate for the negligence of their children, they showered them with material gifts. Today, those children are themselves parents but the society has bred a generation of Monster Parents!

They gave birth to single child. They do homework for their kids. They fill up the time of their children with lots of extra-curricular classes in order to have a head start in admission to elite schools. They tell lies to 'defend' their truant children. They accuse teachers of their children being unfairly treated in schools. They will not encourage their children to choose DSE Ethics and Religious Studies. They escort young gentlemen and ladies to University Orientation Camps etc., to name just a few. I wonder if Jesus' saying still applies today, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children ... " (Matthew 7:11) In order to save our children, these Monster Parents need re-education, in other words, repentance. What are to be done? I have no ready answers. Of course, the statements made above are sweeping. There must be good parents who know what is genuinely good for their children.

I have to admit that no parents are perfect. Mine too are not perfect. As a parent myself, I have made many mistakes. But I have hope because man can change. I pray to God that all parents change for the better. God is merciful. "Ask and it will be given you." (7:7) I pray that when parents seek what is good for their children, they will find the best. I pray that when parents knock, they knock at the right door and it will be opened to them. Amen.