A few days ago I went to the park and took a photograph of the lake. A water bottle floating through the lake got me to think about humans and their behavior.
I do not think we should be bowing down to worship the planet or sacrifice progress and care taking for those who need it for the sake of saving a tree. At the same time, I don’t think we should be wasteful with what we have.
But ignoring the political mess and stress points, I want to talk about care taking. And where does this skill come from?
Personally, I believe care taking comes from role models. Children learn by mimicking others. This could be parents, grandparents, or teachers. Or actors, strangers, or movie characters. And this is my concern. The generations coming up have an unprecedented access to information. Every theory, fact, and story is available at a moment’s notice.
Despite all of that, the best examples for the children are the humans they live and interact with every day. If the child sees an adult drop the remains of an apple on a store’s floor, then the child will see that as being acceptable.
This is one example that I have seen in our society and there are countless others.
The more troubling aspect is the fact that choosing to take care of one’s own trash or place of residency is only the beginning. Other behaviors that a child learns from adults include treatment of others and authority. How to treat the property of others or respond to to critics.
But this is just me and my opinion. Take it or leave it.
The funniest thing about this post, is that the two fractions that I am thinking about will think that I am supporting their side.
Poetria 1839 
Coincidentally, “Trash and Responsibility” is the title of my biography. JK. Serious issue though. Pick up your garbage, people.
Oh? Interesting ;) I must say though, finding left over fries and an apple core at my work place is enough to question upbringing of others.