| Respect for individuality is now widely advocated, and youngsters
are educated to do the following: Do whatever they want to do. Choose their own course of life as they wish. Flatly say 'No' to anything they dislike. This kind of education, however, has raised children who don't want to obey their parents and who easily get angry when they are admonished. The consequence will be that these children become selfish and egoistic, bonds between parents and children are broken and families start to be disrupted. I have heard of a survey in which it was found that the first cause of a quarrel between husband and wife is the difference in opinion about how to raise their children. That marital disputes can be a cause of children's delinquency is now commonly accepted, and yet we can take few measures against the occurrence of marital disputes. Disruptions in a family lead to disruptions at school. And now many people, college graduates, quit their jobs immediately after joining a company because they cannot adapt to the company. It is even said that half of married couples divorce. This is seen not only in Japan but in most developed countries. There are countries where half of mothers are unwed. Having a wish to be an entertainer, a professional baseball player, an artist, or a jockey does not necessarily indicate individuality. Individuality is not necessarily displayed by doing what one likes; it is created on the basis, or from the basics, of their humanity. It can never be called individuality unless it is displayed in a socially meaningful manner. I believe that the basics of humanity are to become a person who can earnestly think about what benefits others and who can lead life filled with joy with a sense of gratitude and modesty. I also believe that individuality must be something that naturally reveals itself even after strenuous attempts have been made to erase it from one's personality. |