"We Are Raising Weak Children": SA Gent Complains About Current Parenting Techniques

• A South African content creator sparked massive debate after sharing his views on how modern parents are raising weak and spoiled children
• The man argued that parents need to stop feeling guilty and make their children work hard to build character
• His viral video got over 190,000 views and divided South Africans, with some agreeing while others defended their parenting choices

A South African man has set tongues wagging after sharing his blunt opinion on how modern parents are failing their children by making life too easy for them.

Content creator @penuelism, who regularly shares his thoughts on South African politics and current affairs, posted a passionate video on the seventh of August with the caption:

"We are raising weak children & we need to do better. Don't spoil your kids. Limit social media. Give them chores. Give them skills. And be firm, out of love."

His controversial message about parenting techniques quickly went viral, racking up over 190,000 views, 6,300 reactions, and 460 comments as South Africans debated whether his tough love approach is right or wrong.

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In his video, the content creator didn't hold back when discussing what he sees as the main problem with today's children. He told parents to stop feeling guilty about giving their kids chores like washing dishes, cleaning the house, doing laundry, and helping to wash cars.

The man also encouraged parents to get their children weekend jobs with neighbours or friends' businesses to teach them the value of hard work. He argued that if parents give children what is easy, their lives will be hard later, but if they give them what is difficult now, their lives will be easier as adults. The content creator stressed that society depends on how parents raise their children and that being hard or showing tough love to kids out of love is actually good parenting.

Mixed reactions from parents

@Thelma Ntombizodwa agreed:

"Good provoking thought. We are not to be friends with our children... They are to be taught a very hard lesson, but not in an abusive way. Thanks, bro"

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@Sithembiso Majola disagreed:

"We never talked badly about the flaws of our parents, we never talk badly about the selfish things our parents did to the kids..."

@Sandile Msanda praised:

"This is the best video I have ever seen thus far. My brother is a responsible father of 3 young children. I value your advice. This message is very powerful 👍🏿😎👌🏿"

@Nomzwakhe Tau shared:

"Not in our house, my daughter is now doing dishwashing, some of her uniform, my son is doing his laundry, helping in the house, he's cleaning this big yard and maintaining it, washing the car, he is 21, not complaining..."

@Liyanda Ndaba boasted:

"Most of your generation, my son from day one in grade 1, I taught him to do his laundry, he is 22, very proud of myself in what I have instilled in him."

@Welma Naude added:

"And please explain to them that 30% is an insult, not a pass."

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Is spoiling children wrong

According to experts at Connolly Counselling Centre, spoiling children can have serious negative effects on their development and behaviour. The centre uses an interesting comparison, explaining that spoiled children behave like wild raccoons who have been fed regularly - when they don't get what they want, they attack.

Children who are constantly given everything they want don't learn proper boundaries and will throw tantrums when told no. The experts stress that parents must remember they are in charge, not the children, and should never give in to tantrums or screaming. The centre advises that while children may not want to do certain things, parents must stay firm and do what's right for the family, even if it means dealing with complaints and protests.

Watch the Facebook clip below:

Other stories about parents

• Briefly News recently reported on a graduate who thanked her domestic worker mum and gardener dad for her success, but what she revealed about their daily struggles left readers emotional.
• A father and son shared powerful life lessons in a touching video that went viral, but the intimate conversation they had revealed something beautiful about their bond.
• An African mum pressured her 25-year-old son to get married in a viral video, but what happened during their intense exchange sparked major debate across SA.

Source: Briefly News