Adventures, experiences, and lessons from our pasts shape us on our journey through life. In The Color of Water by James McBride, James tells the story of not only his journey but his mother’s life journey. He talks about his past experiences and how what he did not know about his mother was one of the last puzzle pieces he needed to truly understand himself. Though stories of parents’ past experiences are important for children to better understand themselves, they are not crucial in a child’s journey to discovering themself. A child will still achieve life goals and develop their own personality without their parents’ life history.
Parents’ past experiences do not necessarily change or affect a child’s interests or personality. As everyone …show more content…
Parents voicing their opinions to their children can be helpful in guiding kids, however kids will not always agree with their parents’ opinions. Lynne Golodner, in her article “Should Parents Tell kids About Their Past?” has interviewed David Sheff for details on whether or not a parent’s past experiences will influence a kids choice to use drugs or not. The article explains, “Either way, ‘It’s not going to determine whether your kid uses or not,’ says Sheff, ‘The reason kids are going to use or not use has almost nothing to do with what their parents say” (Golodner 3). Parent’s can share with their kids lessons and past experiences all they want, it will always give the kid an idea of what to do and what not to do. However, when it all comes down, the kid has the last call on whether or not they want to listen to their parents or not. Therefore stories are helpful, however they are not effective in controlling kids as kids will ultimately do whatever they want. An example would be, in The Color of Water, James’ mom’s family was very strictly Jewish. Along with strict religion her father was a very strict and cruel man, Mommy explains, “Every evening after supper Tateh would sit me and Sam down and make us study the Old Testament” (McBride 61). Mommy, James’ mom, grew up with a …show more content…
Though parental histories are important, they are not vital to a child’s life. Children do not have to know anything about their parents’ pasts because as they grow, they will make mistakes only to learn from them. They will create their own memories and live their own experiences. However, a parent’s past can also be helpful when available to the child. By sharing past experiences kids can learn lessons and feel closer with their parents. This storytelling can also help the child discover parts of their identity they never knew along with helping the child grow into a mature adult. In conclusion, children are not dependent on their parents pasts however it can be helpful
Parents’ past experiences do not necessarily change or affect a child’s interests or personality. As everyone …show more content…
Parents voicing their opinions to their children can be helpful in guiding kids, however kids will not always agree with their parents’ opinions. Lynne Golodner, in her article “Should Parents Tell kids About Their Past?” has interviewed David Sheff for details on whether or not a parent’s past experiences will influence a kids choice to use drugs or not. The article explains, “Either way, ‘It’s not going to determine whether your kid uses or not,’ says Sheff, ‘The reason kids are going to use or not use has almost nothing to do with what their parents say” (Golodner 3). Parent’s can share with their kids lessons and past experiences all they want, it will always give the kid an idea of what to do and what not to do. However, when it all comes down, the kid has the last call on whether or not they want to listen to their parents or not. Therefore stories are helpful, however they are not effective in controlling kids as kids will ultimately do whatever they want. An example would be, in The Color of Water, James’ mom’s family was very strictly Jewish. Along with strict religion her father was a very strict and cruel man, Mommy explains, “Every evening after supper Tateh would sit me and Sam down and make us study the Old Testament” (McBride 61). Mommy, James’ mom, grew up with a …show more content…
Though parental histories are important, they are not vital to a child’s life. Children do not have to know anything about their parents’ pasts because as they grow, they will make mistakes only to learn from them. They will create their own memories and live their own experiences. However, a parent’s past can also be helpful when available to the child. By sharing past experiences kids can learn lessons and feel closer with their parents. This storytelling can also help the child discover parts of their identity they never knew along with helping the child grow into a mature adult. In conclusion, children are not dependent on their parents pasts however it can be helpful