The role of family education is instrumental in shaping children’s personalities and instilling good habits during their formative years. Filial piety, a virtue held in high regard in Vietnamese culture, exemplifies children’s respect and care for their parents and serves as a foundation for social harmony and familial happiness.
However, in today’s rapidly evolving society, some negative influences can subtly affect the younger generation. Parents should be vigilant and take timely corrective action if their children exhibit the following four personality traits.
Selfishness and Lack of Empathy
Selfishness in children often stems from excessive indulgence or deficiencies in emotional education at home. When children have their every need easily met and lack opportunities to practice sharing and cooperation, they may develop a selfish outlook. They might struggle to understand others’ emotions and fail to appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of their parents.
As expert Jaspers states, “Education is a process of connection, like one tree shaking another, and one soul awakening another.” Children lacking empathy often remain indifferent to their parents’ needs and may grow up to be less filial.
Therefore, parents should focus on cultivating empathy during their children’s upbringing. Teach them to be mindful of others and understand the challenges and hard work that their parents undertake daily.

Encourage children to care for others and understand their parents’ daily struggles.
Dependence and Lack of Independence
Children who are overly dependent on their parents often struggle to develop independent thinking and problem-solving skills. This dependence not only hinders their personal growth but also leads to a tendency to shift pressure and responsibility to others when faced with life’s challenges. Such an attitude can weaken their willpower and decision-making abilities.
Goethe, the renowned poet, once said, “Independence is one of the essential elements of genius.” Thus, parents should encourage their children to face difficulties head-on, solve problems independently, and cultivate a sense of responsibility and self-reliance. This will enable them to shoulder responsibilities independently and be more appreciative of their parents’ efforts in the future.

Encourage children to face challenges and develop problem-solving skills independently.
Lack of Respect and Courtesy
Respect for others is a core value of filial piety. Children who are not taught respect from a young age are more likely to develop rude and discourteous attitudes, even towards their parents. Over time, this can hinder their ability to form correct moral values and lead to a general lack of respect and consideration for those around them.
“Courtesy is a basic requirement that children and adolescents should pay particular attention to in order to develop positive habits.” – John Locke
Parents should educate their children through both words and actions, demonstrating respect for everyone, including respecting the opinions and emotions of each family member, to foster filial piety.

Lead by example by showing respect and consideration to others.
Avoiding Responsibility
Children often tend to shy away from responsibility when faced with difficulties and challenges, instead of boldly tackling and resolving issues. This habit not only affects their character development but also leads to a lack of awareness about their duty to honor their parents.
“In life, one must experience the pain of responsibility before tasting the sweetness of accomplishment.” – Liang Qichao
Parents should nurture a sense of responsibility in their children, encouraging them to embrace challenges instead of shying away from them. Filial piety is a cherished value, reflecting children’s love and respect for their grandparents and parents.
However, if children develop selfishness, dependence on others, a lack of respect, and a tendency to avoid responsibility from a young age, it will negatively impact their ability to honor their parents in the future.
For this reason, during the education process, parents should focus on fostering empathy, independence, respect for others, and a sense of responsibility. This will instill correct moral values and help children grow into compassionate individuals.
Additionally, parents should equip their children with self-reliance and self-care skills so that they can stand on their own when faced with challenges. By doing so, even if children do not overtly display filial piety, parents can still prepare themselves mentally and materially for a happy and prosperous future.
It’s important for parents to realize that love and care need not be expressed solely through high expectations or demands but also through acceptance and support for their children’s decisions.
During the upbringing process, parents also need to learn to let go and give their children the space to grow, explore, and develop their independence. This doesn’t mean abandoning their role but rather providing opportunities for their children to experiment, discover themselves, and cultivate self-reliance.
In turn, children should remember their parents’ nurturing sacrifices and practice filial piety through tangible actions, making their home a warm haven in society. When children recognize the value of family, they will develop a stronger sense of responsibility and gratitude, striving towards a noble spirit.
3 Types of Families That Help Children Excel, Be Confident, and Adapt Well in Preschool
Every child has the potential to excel and shine. Nurturing this potential and creating an environment that fosters confidence and a love for learning is paramount. This introduction paragraph aims to delve into the three types of families that often create these outstanding children, and it is crucial to understand the dynamics that play a pivotal role in a child’s early education and their journey towards excellence.