en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:19:10 GMT 15 By Staff Stance

Inappropriate adult behavior has become more noticeable at the Academy this year. Parents engaged in shouting matches during Parent Orientation and during an emergency board of directors’ meeting. The use of force by parents on staff members and physical and verbal confrontations between parents on school property have raised concerns about this offensive behavior. The use of foul language and negative hand gestures during drop-off and pick-up time have recently become evident. This behavior is repulsive and unacceptable. In Islam, one of the duties of parents is to raise their children in an Islamic environment and to teach them the appropriate way to behave. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once said, “A fathers’ teaching his child good manners is better than giving a bushel of grain [in charity].” As for raising one’s voice Lukman, the Wise Man’ advises his son in the Holy Quran to lower his voice; “Indeed the ugliest of all voices is the loud voice of asses.” (Lukman:19) The ill behavior of parents leads to the spoiling of younger generations. English philosopher John Locke once said that parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain. Furthermore, according to Alison Gopnik, Psychology Professor at the Institute of Cognitive Science at Oxford University, children begin imitating their parents as soon as they are born. The influence of parents is especially high during a child’s first eight years. Stacy Beller Stryer, M.D. with Revolution Health Group says that it is important for parents to keep their cool when dealing with stressful situations. If parents lose control and yell, their children will learn to deal with disagreements the same way. Although some parents may say that children learn more negative behavior form television, the Internet, and their peers, studies show that the number one source of a child’s influence comes from their very own parents. We suggest that parents reflect upon themselves, and ask if the way that they behave is the way that they would like their children to behave, as well. ]]> Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:15:00 GMT