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When it comes to relationships, the single ones have more to say.

When it comes to parenting, the non-parents have more to say.

What would you describe as ‘Proper Upbringing of a Child’?

I’m yet to read The Great Gatsby, but the second paragraph of the book is a line, an opinion I believe everyone should resonate with.

“When you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had”.

Or the disadvantages, as I well as may chip in.

People have often said that “experience is what makes a man who he is”.

But truth is, it’s not so.

Experiences do not make us who we are. Our reactions to them do.

5 people kept together under the same conditions, the same circumstances, will have different ways they’ll react.

One will be patient, another feisty, the third anxious, the fourth curious, and the fifth indifferent.

It all boils down to how they’ve programmed themselves to react over the course of different encounters they’ve had in life.

So the term “Proper Upbringing of a Child” really is subjective.

While I might criticize a toddler for being outspoken and think that before they hit puberty they’ll be wild and arrogant, you might think such a toddler will grow up…smart.

Often parents are blamed when a child is not well behaved and praised when they are.

But how much of an influence do parents have over their kids?

Sure at a tender age, they’re probably role models for their kids, either as things they should or shouldn’t be.

But as they grow…as they begin to meet more people, to embrace more experiences…how much impact will their parents still have in their lives, in their decisions?

When asked “Who do you take after? Your mum or dad?”

My response has always been “I take after myself”.

Initially, that response was fueled by hate, but as I began to grow, as I began to meet more people, make my decisions, and have my experiences, I began to argue most of what I would have agreed with, given the way I was brought up, and began to accept the possibilities of other POV’s existing.

Today, when I talk about certain things to people who saw me grow up, they’d think I’m either a prostitute or just plainly stupid.

Now they’d probably not say I lack a “Proper Upbringing” but those who didn’t see me grow up, who just met me along my path to self-discovery, to them, I certainly don’t have a “Proper Upbringing” when I talk about certain things.

It’s all about perspectives, you see.

Life is a spectrum. Nothing really is the way we think it. Everything is white, at the same time it’s black.

So the next time you wish to throw stones, whether you live in a glass house or not…

“just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages (and disadvantages) you’ve had.