AS THE TWIG IS BENT, SO GROWS THE TREE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 1, 1993                   TAG: 9303010201
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
AS THE TWIG IS BENT, SO GROWS THE TREE
THE EDITORIAL page is one of my favorite parts of the paper. Some of the letters to the editor are informative and others are amusing . Others require a response from someone, as does the Feb. 19 letter by Jerry Wade, "A nation bent on destruction."
Our public schools are for the education of our children, and this education will allow them to function in the public sector. If our children are to be taught the moral standards demanded by the parents, I would suggest that this is the prime requisite of the parents. After all, parents are the prime role models and the very first that children see. Unfortunately, too many parents are just too busy to take the time to try and teach their children any moral values. Unfortunately, too many parents would like to relinquish their responsibility to others.
If, as the letter-writer suggests, he is afraid that this nation has turned its back on God, it is because parents have for too long neglected their children's education. If they do not get the proper training at home, I can assure you that all the public-school teachers in this nation are powerless to change the mold after it has been set.
The Bible very clearly states that as the "twig is bent so grows the tree." I, for one, do not want anyone else to try to teach any child of mine "moral standards." That is my responsibility and mine alone, as it is the responsibility of every parent in this country.
How do we dare try to correct our children or tell them how to have good morals when they see us do things that are not exactly honest? How do we tell them that drinking, smoking, doing drugs is bad when we do not deal honestly with everyone? How do we tell them to honor everyone when they see hatred and prejudice in us toward others of a different color, nationality or even a different religion?
Do we see our young people stand up to give an older person their seat? No. Because we did not teach them that this the correct thing to do. Have we taught them to honor parents and elders? Again, the answer is no.
We can worship God and we can pray in our homes, churches or our place of work. We are to pray all the time. If we instill these values in our children, we will not have to worry too much about their moral fiber. DOROTHY J. ANDERS GALAX

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB