Some people believe that life experiences are preparing our children well, while others have grave concerns. This is what The Epoch Times reporters from Sweden to the Canary Islands discovered when they asked locals around the world, “Do you think your society is preparing children well to be responsible to the future of the planet?”
Judith Jackson, 49, Retailer
I do. I think they’ve grown up with it. It’s second nature to them. For us, we’ve had to learn it all; we’ve taken everything for granted. But our children have been brought up with water shortages and how valuable electricity is. I think they’re better prepared than we are; willing to sacrifice energy use for the betterment of the planet. I really believe that.
Helene Jönsson, 48, Paramedic
I don’t know. Things are as they are in the world, with natural catastrophes. I don’t have kids of my own, but I sometimes wonder what will happen to the world in the longer perspective. Something has to be done. I think the young ones can do something about it if they are interested in nature. But I think there are those who are good at it, and those who are not. Some just throw their junk out from the car window because they do not want to take it home.
Ana Suarez, 52, Former Hardware Store Owner
I am considering the answer from an environmental point of view, and I must answer yes. I think younger generations are really becoming conscious that we have to be responsible to our planet. I can see how they take care of animals, flowers, or trees; how they participate in recycling, or are aware of the damage that modern industries cause. On reference to this issue, we parents and the educational system are doing a good job, and hope that in the long future, planet Earth, and the ones who live on it, will be rewarded with better living conditions.
Mutasem Altiti, 38, Doctor
The answer is no, since we have a lot to do in the green plant stuff, and to reuse and recycle paper, maybe cans. A lot of resources are being wasted. We don’t do anything so far toward teaching them how to use these resources more and more and more.
Syed Wajahat, 48, Pilot
No, and the reason is that in a developing society like Pakistan, people are more focused on their own problems, like the power shortages, the corruption, and so many other things that are actually holding people from progressing very well. And unless they have time for their children to educate them and train them well for the coming times, it’s very difficult for any children in general.
Paulina Pietruszynska, 22, Psychology Student
I think that it is not preparing so well, because not all the truth is being passed on. We should fight for children’s rights to knowledge. If children are interested in something, we should fight for the freedom of passing on information. I took part in the Feta parade in Gdansk, where the group Samba Resistance played the drums for free Tibet. Young children and teenagers were most open and could sit and watch or even dance. They themselves felt this need to know more, see something interesting and learn more what it was all about.
Gina Tolva, 48, Coffee Bar Attendant
Not really, they are not prepared. This is because at present, in general, families are dissolved. We don’t have the family composition that existed in the past. In the past, fathers and mothers were concerned with educating the child. Now, parents are alien to educate their children. With work, they do not have the time, and do not seem to care. Sometimes parents are separated, others are not separated; it seems that there is no interest to be concerned about the future of education of children. I am talking in general.
Bohdan Krása, 48, Manager Vegetarian Eatery
Definitely not, because nobody knows about life. Even teachers know nothing. What can they teach our children? We should cultivate to learn what life is about, not just take and take and be jealous. That’s why my fundamental answer is NO.
Daniela Moraes, 28, Student
I think that, nowadays, there is a major concern of both educational institutions as well as companies to divulge environmental education. Even the government offers subsides to encourage these companies. But I wonder, is it feasible in the daily life of my society?
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “If you could meet yourself as a child, what advice would you give?”
