My 70th Birthday : What I Want to Tell My Children
Chung Ann | 부크크(bookk)
14,900원 | 20250320 | 9791141926274
Just as everything has roots, humans also have their origins. We all have parents and ancestors, and it is natural to feel filial piety and gratitude toward those who brought us into this world. However, emphasizing filial piety, a traditional ethic, may seem outdated in today's society, which has evolved from an agricultural era in the 1960s to industrialization in the 1980s, the knowledge and information age in the 2000s, and now the era of civilization and historical transformation driven by artificial intelligence.
In the past, traditional societies were small, self-sufficient communities based on blood ties, where families and relatives lived together. In such societies, filial piety was central to all ethics. However, modern society has evolved beyond family-based units into a highly fragmented world where individuals interact through formal, impersonal relationships. As horizontal human relationships gain importance over traditional vertical ethical structures, the role of filial piety is diminishing. Additionally, rapid social changes are reshaping the concepts of family and filial piety, leading to value confusion and the fading significance of filial duty.
We all grow from children to parents and eventually grandparents. Therefore, we should appreciate those who brought us into this world. Parents and grandparents should not only receive respect but also set an example for their children to follow. True family education lies in passing down the right values to future generations, and when this tradition continues, a prestigious family is formed.
Most parents today do not expect filial devotion from their children as in the past. So why do they dedicate so much to their children's education? It may be out of love, but also a desire to pass down their values and worldview. Beyond material support, parents must lead by example, instilling the right values. Children grow properly when discipline, trust, and love are well-balanced in their upbringing. As this mindset is passed down through generations, a great family is formed. This, I believe, is one of the greatest achievements in life.
The Jewish vertical culture education, known as one of the most faithful in the world, is a form of root education. It instills an invisible mental world and unchanging values in children before their personal values are fully formed. This education teaches identity through tradition, history, philosophy, thought, filial piety, and hardship, turning these into lived experiences rather than mere knowledge. Although children may resist it, this approach strengthens their mental world and helps them find meaning in life. If such education is practiced at home, it can help resolve value confusion caused by social change and ensure the proper transmission of values to future generations.
