The Response: What Makes Us Feel Inadequate?

Some of you who read ‘What makes us feel inadequate’ asked if I had the answer to the question. Well I am not sure if I do but I shall definitely share with you what I think it is. Our very first role models are usually our parents. They are not simply responsible for passing on their genetic make-up to us but also play a huge role in shaping our belief systems, our values or in other words the basic premise of right and wrong. Children are usually way more observant and intelligent than adults give them the credit for. They tend to pick things from their surroundings as naturally as the furniture picks dust. Little ones start learning a whole lot before the parents or teachers actually begin to sit them down to teach them good from bad. When they see their parents feeling envious because the neighbors are renovating the house, the kids associate this ‘unhappy’ look as an outcome of something negative. The parents portray themselves as victims because they have to curb the temptation and this is precisely how we as young children begin to believe that the inability to financially afford our wants is a shortcoming.

The wiser parents, however, make sure that they teach their kids verbally and more importantly by example, that it is immaterial whether you have the purchasing power to acquire something or not.  What matters is that you share what you have, with the less-privileged. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your hard earned money if you have it, but it would be a little disquieting if that money is the measure of your success and happiness. From a very young age, appreciating a child for his helpful behavior instead of his trendy footwear puts things in perspective for him. Growing up, the child naturally starts associating his self-worth with his goodness of heart and altruistic deeds. He then knows that not owning the right brand does not make him inadequate, but not doing the right thing at the right time could.