For Parents - Foolishness and Fads

Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

I have been reading through Proverbs this year; meditating on one chapter each day. Yesterday I was in Proverbs 22 and verse 15 stood out to me. Here it is from The Message: Young people are prone to foolishness and fads; the cure comes through tough-minded discipline. The ESV says it like this: Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

The word that stood out to me was fads. Having raised five kids who are now adults and with three younger ones still at home, I’ve seen plenty of fads and foolishness.

I think most good parents understand the need to deal with foolishness but the harder thing is fads. When I was young there were plenty of them. I remember skin-tight pants that ended above the ankles and then huge bell bottoms. Varied hair styles, leather watch bands, long or short dresses for girls and tie-dyed clothing.

Most fads seem harmless. Or are they? Any parent who has ever questioned a child’s need to follow the current fad knows it’s not easy to go against the flow. Should we just let kids be kids? Who cares if they wear their hat backwards and does it really matter if sagging pants expose underwear?

Here is what is in my mind as I question fads: who are you imitating and who are you following? Is it someone worth following or does it represent a bad lifestyle? Do we want our kids to be followers or leaders?

People talk about individuality but fads demand conformity. You must have the right styles and brands or you won’t fit in. If you don’t have the “look” you will be laughed at. As Christian parents we need to try to raise kids who are God dependent and not peer dependent. That will help them in their stand for truth and enable them to do right no matter what the crowd is doing.

If kids don’t get the tough-minded discipline called for in this Proverb then they will grow into adults without backbone. It won’t be God who calls the shots in their life but the crowd. I guess that’s why people are so swayed by celebrity endorsements and commercials. It’s time that we think for ourselves, guided by the word of God and wise counsel from those around us and to try to raise our kids to do the same.

Philip