Don't make our children too fearfulLast year a friend and I were discussing the impact on us of growing up in the recessionary late 70s and 80s. We were bemoaning the fact that it had made us very risk-averse and we envied those even just a few years younger than us. They seemed to change jobs more easily without worrying too much about job security. They seemed to be better equipped to run with new business ideas and start-ups without worrying how the bills would be paid. They had taken on bigger loans and acquired better homes and more wealth whereas we were held back by fear which was born out of our experience. I do appreciate that the current financial situation has made some of those big loans and start-ups look less than wise but I really hope that this will not translate into fear for the next generation. We need to be very careful of the messages we give to our children about what is happening. Yes, they do need to understand if things are tight and that there may not be so many treats or a holiday this year. For many I’m sure the situation is far worse. But this needs to be handled without undermining their basic sense of security. We need them to be entrepreneurial and to retain an ability to deal with a certain degree of risk if the economy is to recover. We need them to retain an optimistic outlook even if things don’t look so optimistic at the moment. Add a CommentYour comment will appear once it has been approved. |