The Importance of the Family Circle
The recent rash of serious crimes by juveniles and incidents of sudden
outbursts of temper by pupils in the classroom has led to a growing sense
of anxiety among parents. It is reported that an increasing number of fathers
are becoming more concerned with the rearing of their children and that
people are searching for a return to family-oriented home life.
@@@@According to a recent survey, Japanese fathers are much more likely
to leave the details of child rearing to the mother compared with their
counterparts in a number of foreign countries. The same survey tells us
that, as a reflection of the growing concern among Japanese fathers, many
of them in every part of the country are beginning to try to share more
of the time that mothers spend with their children.
@@@@Interacting more closely with their children is especially important
for parents today as urbanization rapidly progresses nationwide and our
cities become more and more densely populated.
@@@@Even in well-to-do households, just as in those less well-off,
the result of children spending much time alone in front of a television
set, a computer, or a game console as their sole companion is more serious
than just their losing the innocence of youth too soon. They also are likely
to become self-centered individuals who are unable to get along harmoniously
with others.
@@@@As we continue striving to perfect our character, the family home
can be considered the best place for training ourselves to do so. In busy
cities and town, where we may feel cut off from society as a whole, what
should parents and individual family members do to foster the natural development
of a feeling of family warmth in children? The time devoted to the happy
family circle is important, and so is a firm resolve to be inventive in
this regard.
Education for Death
Sophia University professor emeritus Alfons Deeken, a pioneer in teaching
preparation for death, or death education, describes its purpose by saying,
gSince everyone must die, thinking about death leads us to think about
life.h @@@It is important to teach preparation for death in childhood
not only in the school, but in the home. Because our lifetimes are limited
since all of us must die, we must be grateful for the life we have received,
and can begin to lead our lives to the fullest when we face up to the reality
of our own death.
@@@@In our daily lives, our morning and evening sutra chanting before
the family Buddhist altar can be considered an important life lesson for
our children. Showing ourselves devoutly praying before the symbol
of our precious faith offers a wordless learning experience for the children,
helping them to understand that if their parents do this with evident gratefulness,
it must be indeed a great and wonderful thing
@@@@The realization that parents and children mature side by side and
that deep sympathetic consideration for each family member will certainly
help to create true warmth in the home and to strengthen the bonds between
parents and children in the family circle.
