Most would agree that what we are, or have become, to a large extent has its roots in early experiences in the home. It is usually in the home where basic lessons about life are taught.In recent years in many parts of the world, including Bermuda, there has been a decline in parents who are not afraid to correct a child stepping out of line. These days parents are quick to blame others when their child exhibits disrespectful behaviour.Many of our seniors shake their heads in dismay over how the ball of discipline was dropped in raising children today which, to some degree, has created a climate where rudeness is not frowned upon as in the old days, in fact some mistakenly think it’s cute.Whenever a parent for whatever reason chooses denial in defending a child, it is the child who could lose in the end.Parenting is not an easy task these days because there are more distractions for young minds than any circus can offer. Parents who could be struggling to make ends meet, sometimes with two jobs, are hard pressed to keep tabs on making certain their offspring are focused on positive values. Decades ago there was more surrogate parenting from relatives and neighbours and children knew it. Not so today, in fact ‘my child is none of your business’ is an attitude which is not helpful. That is until it becomes the magistrate’s business.The future of any society rests with the quality of citizens and their values. However, much of that quality should begin in the home from infancy. Reality dictates that it is not a perfect world, and here in Bermuda, many children are being short changed in being taught early that there are rules of life that if adhered to, could mean the difference between failure and success.Some children are exposed to negative elements such as illegal drugs and alcohol behind closed doors and the result is usually felt later in schools and the community when the effects begin to surface. By then considerable damage has already been done. Repairing the damage becomes a community problem.Recently in the United States, two toddlers through parental negligence, got their hands on a family gun and one was fatally shot when it discharged. According to reports, this was not an isolated incident. There was the usual uproar over parental responsibility, but within days the matter faded from the headlines.While it is expected for parents to have a natural instinct to protect their children, the ultimate parental denial was witnessed by the world following the recent Boston marathon bombing. Both parents who did not reside in the US, reacted with rage that their sons who had become American citizens were wrongly accused, despite evidence higher than Mount Everest pointing to their involvement. The eldest son is now deceased after confrontation with police following the bombing.It was indeed the classic case of parental denial. Perhaps in time, their posture will be altered when the hard facts are placed on the table before them. It is never easy for a parent to concede failure over a child who has chosen the wrong path.Children resting in their cribs know nothing about guns or gangs. Even in our small society here in Bermuda, the issue of violent crime and gun play continues to trouble most of our community.The denial factor is certainly not exempt from our environment, but until more emphasis is placed on teaching good values during the infancy stages mainly in the home, the future will always be under threat.As we approach Heritage Month celebrations we should be mindful that discipline and respect were key parts of our heritage and keeping these qualities alive, will pave the way for a bright successful future. While we have much to celebrate, there is much work to be done to protect what the celebration is all about, a Bermuda we can all be proud about.