Sunday, July 22, 2007
The New York journalist, and I use the term "journalist" generously, was attempting to take me to task for claiming that slovenliness and laziness are unnecessary choices anywhere, anytime, but especially in America.
I had just explained to him how, as a child of a lower middle-class family living on the outskirts of Detroit in the roaring 1950s, I got nothing unless I earned it.
We did without. We were frugal by design. You want a guitar, kid? Get a job. Or two.
I went into detail how my mother and father loved me and properly parented us kids in the most powerful and positive of ways by teaching us real-world self-esteem as something that only comes from genuine effort, sacrifice and intelligent, conscientious prioritization.
By age 12, I had two paper routes, washed cars, swept sidewalks and driveways, sold night crawlers, shoveled snow, raked leaves, cleaned eaves, painted fences, mowed lawns, trimmed hedges, cleaned windows and performed a myriad of other work duties beyond my routine household chores.
It was expected in my family. I took pride in earning my keep and contributing to the family asset column.
Plan B is for the Osbournes and Paris Hiltons of the chump world.
Sad, really.
The reporter scoffed that such opportunities were somehow not realistic in America, 2007.
With a smarmy sarcasm, he chuckled, "catching and selling night crawlers? Do you actually believe that is a realistic opportunity for kids today?"
Well, not if the little brats are catered to, cleaned up after and provided with every electronic gadget, superfluous clothing of trendy choice and bling-bling to choke a welfare goat without a hint of effort, no.
Such entrepreneurial creativity as mine certainly would be camouflaged by the feel-good fog of denial and cult of crybaby prima donna whiners. You know who they are.
God forbid little Johnny or Suzie might get his or her lily-white, manicured, dainty hands dirty. That might embarrass them and hurt their feelings and self-esteem.
I got news for ya, Bubba. Any kid who doesn't have daily chores has yet to feel honestly good about himself. Any parent so irresponsible as to fail to demand chores and a work ethic from young children is asking for trouble.
That parent is helping to create a spineless, tragically dependent America. I, for one, would like to thank you for nothing.
I look around me every day across this amazing country, and my eyes see more opportunities for creative, driven young Americans than one could possibly take advantage of.
I see trash everywhere that quality businesses would love to pay someone to clean up. I see filthy windows and unkempt yards that a few bucks here and there to a good, hardworking, responsible kid would go a long, long way to upgrade.
I see dirty cars, dilapidated fences, broken signs, burnt-out lights, wrecked kennels.
I see piles and piles of recyclable debris that a thoughtful person or small business would gladly pay for removal and recycling. I see it everywhere.
I keep hearing how illegal immigration is OK and even desirable but for the lie that "Americans refuse to do those jobs." Really?
If we reward people for sitting around picking their noses and twiddling their thumbs, it is no surprise that we have actually trained people to be dependent instead of productive, happy, fulfilled citizens.
Shame on us. Shame on them.
Digging ditches, picking crops and doing hard labor is not something to be avoided or ashamed of.
Just the opposite. Sitting around letting others take care of you is surely the worst, soulless condition known to mankind. It is clearly a self-inflicted form of slavery, and I don't like it.
Kids are desperately seeking action, challenge, guidance, prodding, discipline. (Haven't we heard this somewhere before?)
Don't cater to them. Don't pick up after them. Put them to work.
Teach them the wonderful sensation of productivity. Fan the flames of independence and teamwork while celebrating rugged individualism. They will love you for it, and it is your job. Make them do theirs.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and television show host.
Comments
By null
Sep 2, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Do your children hold jobs and help contribute?
By bestseller92
Aug 19, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
As always, Nugent hits the nail squarely on the head. Two thumbs up to the Trib for having the guts to print the truth!
By null
Aug 15, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
I cannot emphasize enough how important this article is. My question is...how do you start developing this ethic in your children? My children are a little older (son is 12 and daughter is 6) and I feel personally responsible for their lack of initative. I guess self-admission is par for the course, but it doesn't change the fact that I want to instill this quality in them. So, what do I do?
By TimBo of Oklahoma
Jul 28, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
I used to go to Teds shows, used to. He degraded the entire audiance at OKCs amphitheatre a few years back. He said if we are drinking, smoking and partying out there we were wasting our time. Get off your high horse. Who thinks Teds kids earn all their toys?
By null
Jul 28, 2007 6:27 AM | Link to this
Ted, you are on the money, so to speak. I am a teacher and I can say, I see many who suffer from those symptoms. Working hard keeps one honest and grateful. We do no favors for our children who get anything they want by merely asking or sometimes demanding for it. Kids should contribute to the household, it's up to us to show them the value of being accountable.
I have three children in college, and they all have part-time jobs. I have seen how humbled they have become when they don't have enough money to go out to their favorite restaurant, or can't buy something they "want" immediately.They are learning firsthand what it takes to transition into adulthood.
Thank you for speaking out and being part of our community.
By Darrell Barfield
Jul 27, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Ted, you are spot on! The children of these lazy "parents" all suffer from A.D.D and that stands for.....
Adults Don't Discipline !Stop trying to their best friend and be a Parent!!!!!!!
By null
Jul 27, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
To be honest, where do you come off? Just because you are a parent doesn't mean you can judge others. Aren't you a Christian? Then let the judging come from God and not us. I would have to agree with one other's statement. I don't believe for once that your kids go painting fences and mowing lawns to "pay you back" for the things you buy them. Yes, teaching them responsibility is wonderful, but there is also a fine line in deciding what is "too much" or what is just being a kid. I don't agree with your views very often and honestly you are so to the point and believing what you say is correct that everytime I see you on Tv I have to change the channel. Remember, just because it is what you believe doesn't mean its right.
By jose
Jul 26, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
some people should NEVER be parents; some by the obvious, some by choice- your thoughts are fresh air to the real world, if only people could think on their own
By Mike
Jul 26, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Come on Ted, that is way too easy of a general dis. Lets look at the facts. I would be willing to bet that non of us raise our kids the way that we were raised. Our perspective of raising kids is filtered through what we saw ourselves doing when "we grow up and have kids."
I know there are pieces of our parents in there but we really do have our own ideas as to what is right and wrong.
In the past, I too have felt like what you describe as the problem with America until recently that is. I could not find any work in an industry that I was successful in and well know for over 9 years. The main cause of that is the witch hunt mentality of America today. I have a felony drug conviction from over 20 years ago that I still have to deal with today. Funny, I thought I paid my debt to society.
I really do believe that the kids of today and the future are so much more technologically minded than we were. They will be the ones who discover cures for diseases through computers etc and it will be because they started so young.
Lets look at music for an example, no one 20 years before you could have imagined doing what you were able to do because of the change in times.
I think we have to be careful if we think we have all the answers or if we believe that we know what the cure for America is. THis country has been in a decline for a long long time and there is something more at root than somebody not having a paper route when they were kids.
By James L Taylor
Jul 26, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
Tahnks Ted My mother and stepdad made sure that we did our chores. I have tried to teach my kids to be respectful, and hard working. I am proud to say that, I have two kids that have graduated High School and are in College or are about to start. My 15 year old is in the top ten percent of her class. We could only have done this well with our children if it wasn't for teaching them responsiblity. I my self had to work all of my life to get the little we have. I am proud of my kids, the are great young adults. My wife is a teacher, My oldest wants to be a teach. It is with Gods guidence that they are who they are. So all you parents think that Ted is not telling the truth read your bible, no dont just read it try living by it!!!!! The Lords word will tell you all you need....
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