Self Suficiency

by Ernest Emerson

[Excerpt from unrelated article]

I believe that it is absolutely vital to our vitality both as a nation and as a military power that we teach our children to be self sufficient, to be independent thinkers, to learn to do their best with what they have at hand - even if it is nothing. Our children should know how to build a fire, to read a map, to know how to find water, and build a shelter. Hell, build a house for that matter. They should know simple electronics, how to fix a motor or engine, how to fish, how to hunt, how to treat an injury and to never feel helpless or hopeless. They should play team sports and learn how to work within the framework of a team. they should learn how it feels to lose and come back to try and win next time. They should learn to take failure in stride and not be devastated by it. On that note, I believe there is real self-esteem and false self-esteem. Real self-esteem is learned and earned by competing, failing and then improving so that you actually know who you are, what you're made of and how good you realistically are in any endeavor.

Unfortunately, the idea of false self esteem is what's being propagated by our schools and most of our younger aged athletic programs. No grades, no competition and only praise for half hearted efforts. What character does that build?

I strongly encourage you to pass these life skills on to your sons and daughters. Have them join the scouts or guide organizations in your area. Get them out camping, get them to play sports and spend time practicing all of the skills these children need and deserve to become self sufficient, independent thinking, confident adults. Sorry for the rant. I have daughters, a son, and I'm a baseball coach and I spend a lot of time dealing with these matters.