I often think about the future a lot, about the unborn generations, especially when I find myself or my friends doing something I know our parents wouldn't be happy with, if they saw us doing that thing. And sadly, everytime I think about it, I find myself not being excited about the future because I know it's going to be a long road ahead.
Back in the day, I used to be a strong believer of the thought that if you train your kids properly at home, then that training will remain with them when it's time for them to eventually leave home. But most times, I don't feel like that is still the case whenever I see the things most people do around here. It brings to mind the Nigerian saying "Pikin wey go spoil, go spoil" which roughly translates to "No matter what you do, if a child is destined to misbehave or get corrupted, they likely will, regardless of efforts to prevent it".
Earlier today at my hostel, I and my friends were seated outside and just having a good time, when a dude who's currently in his second year in school had walked up to us, shirtless with tattoos drawn on his chests and a stick of marijuana in his hand.
This was someone who in his first year in school would always talk about his family and how strict his dad was with their upbringing. He would tell us stories of how his dad was a no nonsense man, and yet all it took for him to start living the lifestyle we all are sure his dad wouldn't approve of was just a year away from home, after spending all his life learning how to be a good boy.
Sadly, there are a lot of people like this, and thinking about it, not from the perspective of a child, but that of a future father makes me feel some kind of way, like it's worthless putting all of that effort into trying to train a child right, because at the end of the day, Pikin wey go spoil, go spoil.