English teacher David McCullugh Jr., who gave a commencement speech at Wellesly High School this May, struck a chord with the nation when he spoke to the graduates in a humourous way, telling them the truth – they weren’t special.
“Yes, you’ve been pampered, cossetted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs. Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet,” said McCullugh. “Think about this: even if you’re one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you.”
Wow. This is something we baby boomers and those older, knew. Most of us grew up in families of numerous siblings, waiting in line for the bathroom or outhouse in the morning, having to eat the food that was presented to us, wearing hand-me-downs and having meetings with a belt.
We have moved as a country from children being an additional farm hand to being pampered pets in many instances. While the old ways were too harsh, many children today are not taught to take responsibility for their lives,
Nowadays, parents will sue if they forgot to put sunscreen on their own kids before they go to school. Actually, Mom or Dad is to blame. They should have put sunscreen on the kids before they went to school, knowing that they were going to have a field day. The kids should have worn protective clothing and a cap. How come the mother didn’t look at the weather forecast and take sunscreen over to the school during her lunch hour?
What about the two 13 year olds in Utah that cut the pony tail off of a toddler that apparently had never had her hair cut? The judge ordered the teens to have their hair cut off.
Good for the judge.
One mother has filed a complaint against the judge.
Life is tough out there. When these children grow up, adults around them will not pamper them. The individuals in our country who are entitled are our elderly and our war veterans.
“Contrary to what your soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you-you’re nothing special,” said McCullugh. “. . . selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. “
Nobody could have said it better.