April 20, 2026 | 09:58 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Raising children to grow into respectful and responsible individuals requires more than setting rules—it demands consistent guidance, clear communication, and meaningful examples. Parents play a crucial role in shaping how children understand right and wrong, not only through discipline but also through everyday interactions that teach empathy and accountability.
Parents need to make it clear that certain behaviors are unacceptable not merely because they dislike them, but because those actions are harmful. This explanation should be supported with concrete examples of how such behavior affects others, helping children understand that their actions carry social, emotional, and practical consequences.
At the same time, children must learn to take responsibility for their behavior. Responsibility goes beyond offering an apology—it involves self-reflection, understanding the impact of one’s actions, and taking steps to make amends. Through this approach, parenting shifts from simply controlling behavior to shaping individuals who can think critically, empathize, and act responsibly as they grow into adolescence and adulthood.
To prevent children from becoming perpetrators of harmful behavior, such as making a sexist jokes, parents need to consistently instill values of empathy and respect within the family. Conversations about healthy relationships and boundaries should be normalized from an early age, allowing children to develop an awareness of how to treat others appropriately.
Open communication also plays a key role. Parents should encourage children to share their daily experiences, helping them reflect on their social interactions. In today’s digital environment, it is equally important to guide children in thinking critically about misogynistic or harmful content they may encounter, whether in conversations or online spaces.
Equally crucial is leading by example. Children learn not only from what parents say, but from what they do. Demonstrating respect, fairness, and empathy in everyday interactions reinforces these values more effectively than words alone. Beyond the family, schools and the broader community also hold responsibility in creating a safe environment and preventing sexual harassment and violence.
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