Parental Guidance

     Like we discussed in class today, leadership is not an easily defined concept. There is no checklist of character traits, in which if you score above a 90 or above automatically qualifies you as an effective leader. Due to the diverse manners in which good leadership can manifest itself, a good leader can be anywhere - a random stranger passing you on the street, a driver yielding to pedestrians on the road, or even a custodian sweeping away cafeteria trash to clear your path. Meeting this anonymous populous on a normal day, most of us would not even recognize them as leaders. Nonetheless, when situations arise during which a leader is needed, these citizens distinguish themselves from the rest by stepping up and directing the group towards a solution, even when nobody else knows what to do.

     The great leader who inspires this post is one of the anonymous. Always there by your side, subtly guiding you, and ready to take action at the first sign of mishap. That great leader has a name everyone should recognize: Mom. What makes this everyday hero such an exemplary model of good leadership is the fact that she will always listen and understand, will always defend her values with the utmost integrity, will always be the paragon of support, and yet never minds if her heroism is not put in the spotlight. She does her job for altruistic purposes, and cares about neither the title nor power associated with the term “leader”.  

     Being a parent is already a full-time commitment. Add the responsibilities and pressures associated with guiding a child to become not only a successful but also a morally righteous adult, being a parent can be a nightmare. Throughout an individual’s childhood, the actions of the parents are what ultimately shape the ideology of the children, and the best method of upbringing required to mold a baby into a grown-up will always provide a plethora of ethical dilemmas. What kind of disciplinary action should be used to teach infants good habits without scarring them for life? What type of political and religious background would supply a toddler with the most advantageous future? Should an adolescent be allowed to strive for their dreams, or choose a less exciting field of study that can bring bread to the table? Every single question weighs an immeasurable significance to these most under-recognized heroes of the world.