If you look around, you’ll notice how fast our traditional values are being lost. At least, this is my perception in Panama. We are always late to our meetings. If somebody promises to follow up on something, he or she won’t keep his or her word. If somebody finds a missing wallet with money in it, it’s most probable that the money won’t be returned to its owner. Divorces are on the rise as well as violent crimes and drugs. Why is this? There are many social theories which you might agree or disagree with.
I strongly believe, one of the theories of this loss of values is the split of the family. The core of our social tissue has been crushed by capitalist societies. Both parents leave their homes early morning to bring food to the table. Meanwhile, their children are alone with their grandparents, a nanny, a child care center or a close relative. There is a growing vacuum of parental love. Children miss this love.
My wife and I are desperately clinging to traditional family values with our grandnephews. Their parents are divorced and they feel that something is not right. We are trying very hard to balance out the emotional distress felt by both children. We pray at the table with them and we go out and share games and other family activities. We play together and they love it. The only problem is that they are not here most of the time.
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to keep on posting pictures about children and their families at Lingua Franca to convey the message of the importance of family values. I hope it helps to spread the word.
Below is an example of family sharing with our grandnephews. My wife Aura shares a couple of hamburgers with Carol and Abdiel. This picture was taken without their knowledge. I wanted to capture the innocence of the scene. Here we go.
Aura shares a couple of hamburgers with her grandnephews, Carol and Abdiel. (Credit: ©Omar Upegui R.)
If we strenghten our family ties, our societies will be upgraded. Healthy societies constitute health countries; and healthy countries make up a better world. This is one of my main priorities for next year. Good Day.
