Teaching Our Children About Ethics and Morals
We all hope that our children will grow up to be honest, trustworthy, and credible individuals. We may teach morality based on religious beliefs or some other ethical code. The key to remember as parents is that deeds speak louder than words.
In general, our children will follow in our footsteps. If we lead ethical lives, they will also. They may diverge from this path on occasion in their adolescent years; but if good examples are set at home, in school, and at church they will do well.
One practice you may want to start is to talk about issue of ethics with your children. Discuss right and wrong, and good and bad. For example, if you watch television or movies with your children, and notice bad behavior, review the information later with your child, and see what they got out of the show.
There is a complex distinction between good versus bad and right versus wrong. Some actions are right, some are wrong. Lying, cheating, and stealing are all wrong. The confusing subject is good versus bad. We may see certain groups as bad, but in their own country for example they may be seen as good, and we may be seen as bad. In movies we often see 'good guys' versus 'bad guys', but life is more complex. Sometimes good people may be thought of as bad, or may do bad things.
Children should understand what you consider to be right, and what you consider to be wrong, and that those things do not depend on the situation