Respect quotient between parents and children: what makes it? Intelligent controls or enough freedom?
What decides the respect quotient that exists between parents and children? There are several factors of course. When it comes to intelligent controls and enough freedom, I tend to endorse the latter one based on single point. Let me prove it.
My argument favouring freedom is that it is freedom that leads to responsibility. There is a popular quote which goes like this: Freedom is responsibility” . The idea contained in such a pithy statement is exactly applicable here in this respect also, because only when there is freedom, there is room for responsibility. The sense of responsibility one comes to acquire all by oneself on the grounds that the freedom one enjoys has a serious other side, too. That is responsibility.

Obviously, this responsibility leads to obedience. Obedience gets generated out of respect. Let us take the case of our freedom of expression. When we enjoy it, we are bound to let others enjoy it too. That is, we have to respect the freedom of expression of others as well. So is the case with the freedom given to children with regard to respect quotient. This, in my opinion, is a two way process. Parents need to give enough freedom to children and children, in turn, have to respect their parents. This happens the other way round too. Parents have to respect their children and identify the amount of freedom they deserve.

All said, there is a little room for controls as well. Control, as we know, is not liked by many. So it is the case with children. However, if parents are intelligent enough, they can easily control their children without making them know that children are controlled. If at all they come to know that they are controlled, the respect quotient that exists between them, thanks to the freedom they get, will see that children simply take it as it is.

Concluding it, what I feel is that it is always wise to be free with children. However, there are times in a child’s or parents’ life when there will be need for controls. The condition is whatever controls parents impose, that need to be intelligent.
Jaypeesdoc. 10.12.010.10.55 am