A difference in philosophy

During my lifetime, I have noticed two different philosophies competing for the way that we do things here in the USA.  I do not know what the official designations are for these points of view.  I simply describe them as Childproofing vs Responsibility training.

I first noticed these different philosophies as a kid and later as a parent.  If you store dangerous chemicals under your sink, then Responsibility training will try to teach your child not to go there. This is done by constantly monitoring them and punishing them if they should go there.  Punishment usually was a spanking.  The purpose here was to teach them that bad things will happen if they handle those chemicals  in a way that will not cause permanent damage to them.  Childproofing says that you can't monitor them as you should, so you need to put locks on the doors to prevent them from going there.

You can see a difference between the two philosophies later as the kids grow and start playing in the street.  Responsibility training will teach them to watch for cars and it is their responsibility to get out of the way of traffic.  Childproofing will say that it is the responsibility of the oncoming traffic to avoid the kids.

Also you can see this in schools.  Responsibility training says that it is the students responsibility to learn.  Childproofing places to total responsibility on the teachers.

Again, when someone goes berserk and starts killing others.  Responsibility training says the cure is to see that the criminal is made accountable for their actions.  Childproofing says we need gun control.

It is this last example that I have a problem with both philosophies.  My problem with them here is that neither of them will prevent these tragedies from happening.  History shows us this.  There has been many of a criminal in our history who has been taught responsibility in their actions but still went on and  did terrible things.  History has also shown us that tragedies can and will happen without guns (i.e. Ireland, Oklahoma City, September 11).

I believe that the only thing that will prevent these things from happening is love.  When this world was created, love ruled.  People rebelled against that love and that is why bad things happen now.  However, we now live in a time where it is possible to know that love and to experience that love.  As we experience that love, it will flow through us and will change the way we interact with each other.  As that love changes us, we naturally start loving others with that type of love.  I believe that the only answer that will stop the violence within America is that love.

Here's to living loved and loving others.