Here in Australia, we are preparing for another Federal Election. It seems that this country’s political playing field is something reminiscent of the school playground at times which is frightful. While parties offer the world and it will remain questionable what is actually delivered over time, we will all watch and consider what each party and representative has to offer and then hope our vote makes a difference.
While there are huge items on the agenda of all parties such as the economy, climate change, health care, schooling, taxes etc etc…. I wonder however if any party will consider families at the crux of improving the country for our children, not just until the next prime minister change or election? The bigger social issues which are erupting everywhere that for decades have had a blind eye turned to them and quietly brushed under the carpet. While we are all working more hours for less pay, our children are missing out on the love, support and care that they need to develop and mature into capable socially responsible adults.
This post does not have any answers in it, but will hopefully make you consider what you and those you know and vote for are doing to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children, the future generations that will live longer than any of us and at some stage will be making worldly decisions for us as we age.
I read this quote in a book a friend recently loaned to me and made me stop dead in my tracks….. How many men can attest to their father encouraging them like this? And how can we change the upbringing of boys so that more men will be able to state this in adulthood. I think you will be surprised by how many men today cannot say this about their dad!
‘For my dad, Alexander MacLean, who loved and encouraged me to try my best and give everything 100%. You said to me, “Look how far you’ve come, now how far can you go?”‘(J Maclean (2016) How Far Can You Go?:My 25-Year Quest To Walk Again. A CBS Company)
Also this week, this article was brought to my attention ‘Mothers Are Drowning in Stress‘.Who and which political party will start addressing these issues? These very issues are affecting children now!
On one level we need to consider what is acceptable for our children and how we treat them, how they are taught to treat others, and that they are worthy of love and support from their parents and family. But on another level the very politicians we see on TV, the internet, news streams need to start talking about and addressing the social issues that affect our children. These social issues need a multi-pronged approach, they need to be addressed at all levels of society, they are all inter-connected and inter-relational.
Just some thoughts for you leading into the weekend.
