Outsourcing critical processes

No, I’m not talking about certain industries being transferred overseas. I’m talking about thinking and parenting – two activities that people seem increasingly unwilling to do for themselves.

A recent story in the British press said a survey found the average working mom spent 19 minutes a day interacting with her child. A similar survey years ago in the States found the average dad spent 2 hours or less per weekday with his children. But other surveys find children watching television or playing on computers 4 hours a day or more. So why are parents surprised over how little influence they have in their child’s development? “Johnny’s just a difficult child,” they say with resignation, after observing yet another instance of egregious behavior. Maybe so, but that means a requirement to invest more time, not less. Time to love, nurture, mentor, and, when necessary, correct and discipline. The Bible tells parents to “train up a child in the way he should go.” Training takes more than a couple casual conversations at the end of the day.

Another critical activity is delegated to others is opinion making. Punditry is more than a job these days—it’s an avenue to power. Just as people will buy a sneaker or a polo shirt because it has a certain logo on it, folks will buy a certain position on the issue (when they bother to pay much attention at all) just because that’s what Bill O’Reilly / Ann Coulter / Michael Moore / Kos says. Branding trumps all in both instances. A dangerously low percentage of the population dares to delve into the argument or product du jour to see if it stands up under the scrutiny of facts.

Taken together, these two trends bode very ill for our society. Combined, they lead to a generation of sheep, not citizens. Citizens require both personal discipline and an ability to think critically. Neither skill is being instilled at large in the population that will soon inherit the mantle of responsibility.

These two areas have another thing in common: they both require personal commitment, and it takes work to do either well. That's why it's easier to outsource the problem...but those who do can never live free. Your mind is yours. Your children are yours. Regardless of to whom you entrust the development of each, the result will be yours as well.