Nigerian filmmaker and movie actress Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi has taken to social media on Children’s Day to express how unhappy she is today.
Despite wishing all children a wonderful day, the actress and mother of one admonished parents against raising children with kid gloves because times have changed.
Toyin Abraham cited examples of youths who bash their elders on social media under the guise of being “woke” and the jungle justice that took place at Ajayi Crowther University, where a student was accused of theft.
She added that children should be raised with values and taught respect, as a lack of home training is currently the order of the day in many settings today.
In her lengthy note, Toyin Abraham stated:
“I am not happy on this children’s day
Happy Children’s Day to all children and to parents who were once children. As we celebrate this day, it is essential to acknowledge the need for better parenting. Recent online encounters and observations compel me to share this heartfelt message with every parent and guardian.
The quality of children we are raising today needs serious attention. We now have kids who see respect and courtesy as burdens. How do we feel reading some of the things the youth say to adults online under the guise of being “woke” or adopting a “no tolerance” attitude? Many of us were not raised the way we are raising our kids today. We are raising them with kid because we believe times have changed. However, different times are not an excuse to raise disrespectful children.
Despite our age and blessings, there are still things we would not tell our parents, not out of fear, but out of respect. This Children’s Day should remind us to do better as parents and raise children who are respectful and kind. The recent tragic event at Ajayi Crowther University, where students killed a fellow student in the name of jungle justice, highlights the severe consequences of a lack of home training and moral values. Even if theft occurred, it does not justify taking another person’s life.
Respect, courtesy, responsibility, kindness, and hard work are values we were raised with. Although we may not have liked the discipline at the time, we are grateful to our parents today for instilling these values in us. We have a nation-building responsibility to raise the next generation of quality individuals.
Happy Children’s Day once again. May God keep our children for us, protect us from all forms of evil, and grant us a great celebration filled with wonderful experiences for the kids.
My name is Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi. I was once a little child, and I am now entrusted with the responsibility of raising quality children for a better society and nation.”
