Personal responsibility, what's happened?

[Bass]

What shall we do?

This is what the man asked right at the outset.
There has been a lot of discussion sharing his opinion but few answers
I think that this is one of the most important questions that I have seen asked in recent times, but I struggle to find a practical, usable reply.

A sense of personal responsibility implies a sense of right and wrong.

I think that we are raising a society segment whose notion of right and wrong differs greatly from the traditional view. We have among us, a group of people who believe that society owes them a living. However, half of the problem is that they do not understand that the logical and unacceptable consequence of their attitude is that we, the responsible people, are the ones who OWE.

I don't know how to change that. It has been a long time coming and it will take a long time to reverse.

However, I do think that part of the problem is the attempt to legislate for every possible situation so that no-one needs to consider the moral right or wrong of the situation

[Coldrider]

What shall we do?

We is who? George W Bush style?

[007XX]

So it's the parents fault then?
p/t

Not so, at least not entirely...

Parents, school teachers, grand parents, tv, etc.

Our young ones are "sponges" who absorb most of their knowledge from whatever sources they find available around them...
Being able to watch programs M rated would not be suitable, yet some people think it's ok...
At school, the message sent now is that a teacher has no resort apart from sending an offending child to the principal... who will do what? call the parents of a hard nose little tough guy? that will surely impress the shit out of him (Tui moment anyone?)
I'm not saying bring back the cane, although a lot of people think it's not such a bad idea.

But there needs to be a revival of respect for authority, and we cannot do this if we are more concerned about being their pals and giving them free reins than on educating them...you got to be tough to be kind!

[MSTRS:Me]

I think that we are raising a society segment whose notion of right and wrong differs greatly from the traditional view.

I doubt that there is anyone over the age of 7 who does not know right from wrong...the difference in the above is that these people simply don't care

However, I do think that part of the problem is the attempt to legislate for every possible situation so that no-one needs to consider the moral right or wrong of the situation

Moses' tablets contained all that is needed, with the exception of the graven images one....

[Bass]

I doubt that there is anyone over the age of 7 who does not know right from wrong...the difference in the above is that these people simply don't care

I hope you are right but I'm not so sure any more. I feel that there is a growing segment whose concept of right and wrong involves how much force they can exert.
They actually believe that might is right

[scumdog]

I doubt that there is anyone over the age of 7 who does not know right from wrong...the difference in the above is that these people simply don't care....

They know right from wrong alright - you can tell that by the fact they have (pathetic) cover-up stories for 'if they get caught'.
And even more patheric excuses when they DO get caught.

Which normally involves dispensing the blame elsewhere....

[ManDownUnder]

What shall we do?

1) Hold people accountable
2) Stand and be accountable

Breaking a few rules isn't a bad thing if you were right to break them (to progress the right or wrong discussion). If my little boy walks out onto the road putting himself in danger for the wrong reasons... he's going to get a smack on the bum.

Wrong (according to the law) yes. But if it's the best way to keep my child safe from his own stupidity I will strongly argue it's also right.

[chanceyy]

well I guess I qualify as a dinosaur too, I have learnt right from wrong & have a core set of values & beliefs

I never regret anything I do, & try to learn from my mistakes, I treat ppl as I find them, & as I would like to be treated in return ..

I value honesty and integrity ... however to many ppl today do not know the meaning of above

we are living in a blame culture.. where its always someone elses fault, personal responsibility has gone way outta the window .. but I for one will still put my hand up .. I am far from perfect but at least I like wot i see in the mirror each day

[Hitcher]

The "politically correct" amongst us need to step up and take some responsibility for taking responsibility away from others. There has been a huge volume of legislation passed in recent years that allows the Bloody Gummint to regulate and control the lives of others. And, gentle readers, more is coming. There are those amongst us who will not rest until we're a nation of vegan pedestrians who reside in gender-defined dormitories. I resent being taken hostage by single-issue activist groups and cause-related zealots.

It's time to actively resist this glacial creep before individuality and personal responsibility is ground up like so much dust in the terminal moraine.

[McJim]

The problem seems worse than it is. The actions of the few get sensationalised by the media and we have that knee jerk response to blame an entire segment of humanity.

It's like saying all Christians are Americans for example we know it's not true but it's easy to say.

There are plenty of responsible young people out there - you just don't meet them coz they don't break the rules, hang around street corners or go joy riding. I remember thugs and boy racers in Falkirk in the 1970's with EXACTLY the same blame others attitude. Those thugs would now be in their 50's.

Nothing has changed. Not even the older generation saying "Sheesh...the kids of today......."

Don't get me wrong though - I don't condone the blame culture - it's just that I can see it's not as rife as it appears.

[scumdog]

Don't get me wrong though - I don't condone the blame culture - it's just that I can see it's not as rife as it appears.

I must have missed that part of my generation.
Can't remember any of my mates being like that either.

Maybe I hung-out with the wrong crowd?

[Animal]

I have noticed that there are a number of threads on this site that ultimately come down to being responsible for ones own decisions and actions.

I also note that there are as many voices on one side as the other.

I feel like a dinosaur.

Must make me a dinosaur too, but I'm fucked if I'm going to apologise for clinging to those values. Being caned at school or strapped at home was a clear and immediate consequence if my decisions and actions were flawed. I'm not mentally and emotionally scarred, and I still live my life on the principles of being resposible for my own actions and decisions. I have to apologise if I've offended someone, I have to pay the price if I'm caught breaking the law. I am proud to be a dinosaur!

[007XX]

Must make me a dinosaur too, but I'm fucked if I'm going to apologise for clinging to those values. Being caned at school or strapped at home was a clear and immediate consequence if my decisions and actions were flawed. I'm not mentally and emotionally scarred, and I still live my life on the principles of being resposible for my own actions and decisions. I have to apologise if I've offended someone, I have to pay the price if I'm caught breaking the law. I am proud to be a dinosaur!

Yep, exactly!!!!

I'd be a Veloceraptor, me thinks...And I'm perfectly ok with that...

[Mekk]

I was brought up to give respect where it's due and to front up for my actions, so I'll keep doing that.

I don't respect insecure cowards that fob off responsibility because they can't handle their own choices in life.

[scumdog]

I'm just some old bastard with some old fashioned ideas and values.

I guess I'm a Tyranosaurus by todays standards.