Weak Parenting, Weak Minds: A Wake-Up Call
There was a time, in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, when childhood meant resilience. Life was not cushioned by comfort, and parents did not rush to shield us from every bruise or hardship. Food was simple, and eating at KFC or McDonald’s was a rare occasion — a privilege reserved for birthdays or celebrations. Shoes came from Fung Keong or the small kedai runcit down the road, and we wore them until they frayed at the edges. School uniforms were handed down from sibling to sibling; nothing was tailored, nothing personalized. We did not complain, because that was life — and in those struggles we discovered strength. Parents and teachers alike carried authority. A slap for misbehavior, a scolding for poor marks, or a punishment for disrespect was not an act of cruelty — it was part of a larger culture of discipline. It taught us the meaning of respect, accountability, and humility. Those moments of correction did not break us; they built us. They ha...