Violence, in all its various forms, is problematic for us as a society. We tell our children not to fight and then watch Ronda Rousey get kicked in the head and knocked unconscious during UFC 193. We have to play nice unless it’s in an arena or on a field where grown men cry “bring back the biff!”
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It’s a strange double standard to have and it’s no wonder we continue to see violence in our community. How on earth are young people going to slip free of the grip violence holds on our culture if we continue to glorify it? I’m not saying we should ban contact sports, but I do believe we need to differentiate between enjoying the game and enjoying the hurt.
There’s a proverb which says “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”. It’s one of the basics of our education system. We teach our kids drink driving is bad, unprotected sex is dangerous and taking drugs can lead down a very dark path. However, we don’t tell our kids about the risks associated with violence.
Violence is far too common these days. Unless we as a community decide to do something about it, we will pass this curse on to our children. We must set an example for young people. Simply say no to violence. Don’t glorify it. Don’t delight in it. Certainly don’t inflict it.
Our boys and our girls need to know hitting people is wrong. There is never a reason.
-STEPHEN MUDD
