Tenacity and Toughness

Are you as tough as your grandparents? A simple question, but I wonder how many of us can answer that with a resounding "yes!" Could it be that our nation is growing weaker in ways we haven't really thought about and does it matter? To that I say a resounding "yes!"

Even my generation can look back on struggles that helped us build physical endurance as well as a strong character and tenacity to achieve. But does each generation in its dream to make it easier for the next inadvertently enable the next generation to be weaker. Let's take a look at the twentieth century and how we have morphed.

At the beginning of the 20th century, many families still worked on family farms to produce food, raised livestock, etc. With that came daily physical work and discipline for every member of the family. There was no slacking off. Many of the appliances we use today that make our lives easier, such a the common washing machine, either did not exist or were not commonplace. Day-to-day living required much more physical activity and everyone in the family was involved.

Remember hearing how far your grandparents walked to school? If you wanted to get from point A to point B, you walked or, if you were lucky, rode a bicycle. After World War II, automobiles became more common, and many people used public transportation. Streetcars were popular in many cities, including St. Louis. We were, indeed, much more physically fit, from necessity.

Many of our schools have cut back on physical education, although athletic programs have remained in many schools. If we are to engender "toughness" in our next generation, we must be vigilant in instilling programs that encourage physical fitness. Along with these programs, it is time that we restore good old-fashioned competitiveness in our youth.

I was astounded to learn that many of our public schools no longer fail students. Is it because our educators are the real failures in the system? It is time we worked with our young people to help them realize that being competitive and working to achieve their personal best in whatever they are doing, whether it is math or football, is a positive approach that will serve them well as they grow to adulthood.
Life doesn't give a free pass and neither should we!

What can you do?

Take time each day to talk with your child or the child you are mentoring and make sure that they have a balanced program of physical activity outside of school. Be consistent

Talk about goals and set realistic goals that will help the child move toward their goals.

Set benchmarks and reward the child when those benchmarks are met. Young children thrive on praise. No child ever turns down a hug.