Children and Medication: Generation “Med”?
A look at medications for children.
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With each generation comes new ways of thought, and this is especially true in the area of parenting and child rearing. In an attempt to incorporate the latest and most advanced medical and technical discoveries into improving the lives of our children, and ourselves, it would appear that we collectively as a society have opened an avenue to abuse of processes. This is perhaps no more apparent than the manner in which we choose to address behavioral issues in children and young adults. While it is wise to utilize scientific advancement to our greatest benefit, there is a fine line that distinguishes use from abuse, and unfortunately it is those with the weakest voice in society that are forced to endure the impact of poor parental choices.
In recent years there has become a staggering percentage of our children that are prescribed behavioral altering drugs, for any number of perceived issues. While it is certainly warranted and necessary in some instances, we need to question the validity of the quantity of medical professionals that embrace the treatment of temporary and minor behavioral issues in children by employing prescription medications. The inference that there is something amiss in the mental processes of a large amount of today’s children is disturbing, not in itself, but in the ease with which parents accept a diagnosis. It is the duty of a parent to protect their children’s best interests, not to leap to assumptions that may be presented by a total stranger, no matter how well educated that individual may be. To defer a life altering decision based solely upon the opinion of one medical professional is foolish and irresponsible.
In the place of prescribing pharmaceuticals to children, perhaps we as a culture need to re-examine our priorities, and place more emphasis on parenting skills. In the rush of modern living, we tend to aggressively attack one problem hopeful a of “quick fix”, and then dash onward to the next issue. Our problem resolution skills as parents need sharpening, and as a culture we need to relearn the skill of listening to our children when they present us with their personal dilemmas. Behavioral problems in children are in most instances not their problem, but ours as parents, and we need to put in the effort that is the earmark of a good parent to resolve them. Medicating masses of children today may temporarily relieve the circumstance, but what have we taught them in the process?
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