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The word "freedom" found in the Oxford English Dictionary is described as “free, independent, and unrestricted use.” One does not, of course, need to look up the word to understand its meaning, however for the purpose of this article I found it useful.
For those who have been born and raised in Iran for any period of time the word holds a different meaning and value than for those who have been born in countries where freedom is every citizen’s right.
Living in Western civilization, , children are taught that they have the ability to make choices on their own- given the understanding that consequences are attached to each individual choice- from a very young age. Therefore, freedom to choose for oneself does not allow room for the misunderstanding that one has the freedom to hurt others or to take away others’ privileges or rights. Little children are taught to think for themselves and, with appropriate parental guidance, they grow up to be independent individuals who contribute to society and family. This is a general ideal for societies that honor the freedom of individuals within law abiding guidelines. Unfortunately, even in such “free” societies, when parents fail to teach their children to think and act appropriately for themselves, those children will grow up to be dependent on others, and not knowing how to act freely for themselves.
In a land where children are commonly raised under strict, fearful suppression of parents standing in the way of their children’s right to think and act independently, it is no wonder that eventually this society would suffer from the loss of freedom altogether.
Being raised to speak only when spoken to, as well as being taught to keep opinions to one self does not allow much opportunity for the appropriate individual growth to be able to think and choose independently. This has been the way of our culture for many generations.
As a result, when people lose their freedom there always comes a period of time where rebellion seems the only way for survival.
Our youth fight for freedom and for independence. In most cases they are not asking for much; mostly they just want to be autonomous, to be a distinct individual worthy and capable of having personal ideals, beliefs and feelings which are just as acceptable and respectable as any other human being including those of the elderly generation in their family.
Often times I have thought about the people of my culture, wondering how their suffering and pain could be put at ease or how they could be set free. I have, after many years of pouring over the matter, come to the conclusion that change begins with me. What has happened has already happened and can not be changed. However, the future is easily changeable by the choices we make today. If I want my family, my people to be free and independent, I have to start respecting the rights of others and teach the value of freedom in day to day life. It will be like the small stone thrown into the pond. First there will be a small ripple. Next, a larger ripple which will continue to grow until it reaches out throughout the pond. This can be the effect of each of us in our own families, eventually reaching out to touch others.
We can be successful by teaching our children to think and choose for themselves and when they make a mistake, be there to pick them up, brush them off and send them on their way to try again. Many failures will lead to absolute success and the road to perfection with all its ups and downs is the journey of life. Regardless of one’s religious belief, “freedom to choose” is a gift from an all knowing God who is aware of whom we are and where we are, yet He allows us to choose for ourselves. He has given us the light and knowledge to recognize and differentiate between good and evil. There is a natural consequence for all things and the reward for those who choose the good over evil will be eternally wonderful. That choice is ours, not to be forced upon us.
As parents, we are so pleased when our children do what is right on their own without our help. We are also disappointed when our children falter, but because we love them, we do not give up on them. There comes a time when they are old enough that all we can do is hope and pray that they will make proper choices for themselves. We can not interfere but we can be there for them when they need us. It is this same with God who is always standing near by to help us, should we choose to go to Him. He also does not come down to interfere or to make us do things His way. He wants us to choose for ourselves. May we be able to learn from His example of parenting to allow us to live free, respecting the lives and choices of others without forcing our will upon them.
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