As has occurred time and time again, the contemporary generation looks askance at the younger, upcoming adults.
Quite frequently that attitude is justified. People seem to forget that as people get older they usually get smarter, but not necessarily wiser.
In the 1930s, millions of young British people signed a pledge that they would not fight for king and country. Yet, when it came down to reality, it was the young people who saved England.
The RAF during the Battle of Britain performed heroically and saved England from a German invasion.
My wife’s parents, during that time, employed a middle aged British housekeeper who proudly stood up whenever her king was on the radio. Where is that kind of respectful attitude in our everyday life?
Courtesy, let alone chivalry, seems long gone. What is particularly disturbing is a recent poll that stated 48 per cent of those 18 to 34 years of age don’t have a strong attachment to Canada. That has all kinds of serious ramifications. Perhaps those youths should be shipped to Afghanistan to wise up.
Too, Canadians simply must instill in the next generation a love of country and a true appreciation of this magnificent nation, our ethics, our history and our monarchy, a topic which can fuel indifference and negativity.
Schools, for instance, should be offering mandatory classes promoting knowledge of kin and country.
Why don’t the CBC and CTV networks begin their programming each day with O Canada? Years ago movie theatres played the national anthem before movies were shown, like they do for sports games.
Many young people particularly, have insufficient respect for the environment. This columnist observed some Guelph students, despite a receptacle for rubbish close at hand, throw their refuse on the ground rather than taking two steps to dispose of it in the garbage bin. Living on a country road and observing the amount of trash thrown from car windows is clear evidence of this negative reality today.
Two generations ago we did have a stronger nationalistic feeling. More retail establishments were promoting Canadian products. This is in sharp contrast today, where currently it is all about the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership).
Yes, times have changed but much of the indifference today toward Canada is shameful. A reversal of this cynical attitude would help the Canadian economy tremendously.
Let’s make a greater effort to do our part in that direction so that all of us will grow to be more appreciative, solid citizens of our society.