You Failed Them

There’s something fast becoming a norm with little children these days. Even when majority would want to tag it an indomie generation stuff, I strongly believe the society is the one that failed them.

Tell me why I’m entering a cab and everywhere is disorganised because a mother and her kids just alighted. Or why pupils and students dump their biscuit nylon on the floor with confidence.

Growing up, our own agents of socialization did a good job building me and so many others. Especially home, school and religious centres — aro meta ninu mefa ti o d’obe nu.

My mum would go out and meet the house dirty when she returns ke? When you hear swift cleaning, na my elder sis teach me that doings. There’s usually a normal routine with my elder sis and I whenever my mum knocks on the gate. The very short little Mimi would open the gate while my sis sorted the swift cleaning and arrangement. I was really small — so I normally climb somewhere around the gate.

Then, at primary school — the one my head space has still not recovered from. A time came and everyone got the unpaid job to police each other and report whoever you saw litter the floor. It was a “na who dig this pit go fall inside” moment for me. All those people in search of how to get back at me because of my sharp mouth must not catch me. Mo ya arrange!
And since then till date, I don’t know how to litter the floor. When I eat things outside and don’t see dustbin, I keep the nylon or whatever till I get home. If you see me outside holding an empty bottle, it’s not zobo I’m keeping it for — I’m just yet to see where to dispose it. Even to throw waste out of a moving vehicle is like taboo for me.

Also in church, trust my children teachers — especially Mummy Elijah, to give you a bombastic side eye that won’t make you try it. You see that “cleanliness is next to godliness”, we took it personal when it comes to the house of God.

So, what happened to these same agents of socialization now? Can we blame the children?

Parents, please teach your children not to leave a place they met well arranged in disarray. Even if you have housemaid, let your children know how to use the trash can. It’s simple daily life stuff they should get used to.

And schools? There are cleaners doesn’t mean your students should leave the place dirty because someone is being paid to clean after them.

Also, you have ushers/protocol in your place of worship doesn’t mean you should throw that paper on the floor.

I know we have adults on this table. Ehnnnnn, I categorized them under children. Since you’re still eating suya and throwing the paper inside public transport — remain in that children category till you grow.

Till I’m back to stir the drink, stay good!