By Tony Okafor
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, a disturbing trend has emerged that threatens the very fabric of our society.
Our children, the ones we toil to raise and provide for, have lost the sense of empathy that once bound families and communities together.
The question echoes in our minds: “Who will weep for us on our last days?”
In the past, children were raised with the understanding that they would be the ones to mourn their parents’ passing, to carry on their legacy, and to keep their memories alive.
However, this heartwarming tradition has sadly become a relic of the past. Modern children have lost touch with the empathy that once defined our community. It’s not uncommon to see young people attending funeral services, even in the sacred confines of the church, where one would expect reverence and respect, yet they remain engrossed in their phones, their eyes fixed on social media, seemingly oblivious to the solemn occasion and the loved one lying in state before them.
The pursuit of materialism and the influence of technology have created a void where empathy once dwelled.
We have forgotten the value of shared experiences, of family bonding, and of community ties.
Our children are no longer taught the traditional values of respect, compassion, and kindness. Instead, they are left to navigate the world alone, with only their devices to guide them.
Alarmingly, some parents are sending their children away as young as 9 or 10 years old for studies even abroad, further eroding the already fragile bond between generations and potentially depriving them of the emotional support and guidance they need during their formative years.
The consequences are dire. We see children who are unable to connect with their parents, who are unmoved by their struggles, and who are uninterested in their stories.
We see families fragmented, communities divided, and a society that is slowly losing its soul.
It is time for us to take action. We must reclaim our heritage, our traditions, and our values. We must teach our children the importance of empathy, of compassion, and of kindness.
We must show them that there is more to life than just material possessions and social media likes.
Let us not wait until it is too late. Let us not be left with a generation of children who do not know how to weep for their parents, who do not know how to mourn their passing, and who do not know how to keep their memories alive.
Who will weep for us on our last days? The answer lies in our ability to act now, to reclaim our values, and to raise a generation of children who will carry on our legacy with empathy, compassion, and kindness.
