Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 16 March 2006 — Page 8

Page 8 • The Muncie Times • March 16, 2006

continued from page 1 believe I have some possible answers to solve over 75 percent of these social ills and anti-social problems that plague our communities. I believe the key to these problems is work: that’s right W-O-R-K.. When my grandchildren were small, ages 4 and 5, they used to spend part of the summer with my husband and me. Even at those ages, we taught them to make up their

beds.

Did the beds look perfect? No. I always had to go behind them and make them better. They also had to stand on stools to wash dishes. They cleaned the table and put their dirty clothes away to be washed later. But they learned to do this at an early age. Now, would you believe there are teens who do not perform necessary cleanup duties? They don't make up their beds or wash dishes, because their parents wash their clothes, clean up behind them, make their beds, etc. They see no need to undertake such mundane chores— because their parents and other relatives do them for

them.

The Muncie Times, my husband (Dr. Robert O. Foster) and I have provided work for many young people. As far as we are concerned, young people are never too young to work. Our motto is: If they can walk, they can be taught how to do something. We have often provjded the first jobs for many young people. These are chores, not full-

time jobs. We have done this because we strongly believe that many of our young people can succeed in the workplace if they are instilled with a work ethic and they learn early the value of hard, but honest, work. At The Muncie Times office, we have provided work for at least 15 preteens and teens. I have paid them out of my own personal funds. We have a "no frill work habits" policy: you have to be at work on time, do a good job and behave well. About 90 percent of those we have hired have done an excellent job. We had never thought we would get involved with so many young people. I remember the first time we got some young people to do chores for us. Two young children came by my office and asked if I had any work. They wanted to earn money to buy a Mother’s Day gift for their

mom.

I had already cleaned the office, but I paid them in advance and they came the following Saturday. They cleaned up better than I could have imag-

ined.

I decided to let them continue to clean up. They were not only eager to work but took care to do a good job and showed respect. They would always say, "Yes, ma'am," and "No, ma'am." When I gave them a job to do, they did more than I asked for. Their mother, a

Some years ago, when I lived in Indianapolis, I returned from work one day to find my daughter and my niece and two nephews waiting for me: to cook food for the day and, oh yes, clean up the house. I thought that was my job, even when the kids were out of school for the summer. But this particular day I was tired. Before I could sit and rest for a while, someone asked what was for dinner. That was the last straw. I told everyone in my mother-in-law's house that I was serving notice I would not cook dinner again and that I would only clean up my room. Were they shocked? Did they change? Yes and yes. The whole household changed because they realized they had lost their live-in maid. We are responsible for the future of our children. Even the Bible said if a man doesn’t work he should not eat. How much plainer can it be? My nephew who has never been employed, when I would see him in Indianapolis, would ask me for a couple of dollars to buy cigarettes and I would reply, "Boy, if you clean my car I will give you the couple of dollars." His reply was, "Okay, but I am not a boy." My reply was, "Yes you are a boy because men work

dren, young or old, to work. Many of us feel our children are too good to work. The ones that are looking for a job have the nerve to say they are looking for an easy job? Can you imagine that? No skills, but looking for an easy job. What planet did they come from? They have yet to learn that you do anything, as long as it's honest work, to survive. I have a lot of respect for anyone who has been on the job for a few years, no matter what the job is, whether as a bank teller or cleaning out the pig bam. I do realize that we also need to teach many parents good work habits, because no one taught them those things when they were young. So what do we need to do about the situation is to change our ways and put our children to work. They must realize that work, all kinds of work, as long as it is honest and ethical, is good for everybody and for the community. Then there are workers who do not earn their pay; they go to work then look for a place to hide and sleep for for part of the work day. They stay up most of the night and think they can still give a 100 percent effort on the job. Whom are you trying to fool? I feel sorry for some of the supervisors.

and you don't. When will Oh, yes, then there are the, your parents leam that you "I am sick need and I need

are often part of the prob-

single, divorced parent, r lem?” had taught her children It’s common for parents well about the importance to come up with excuses of work. so as not to force our chil-

a statement from the doctor." They are willing to ga far in tricking the doc-

tor.

’Then there are the, "All

my closest family members have died." Of course, some have really died. Some have even "died" twice. They use that sick excuse to dodge going to work. Then we have the " I am going to sue for anything." Or, "they don’t like me,

etc.

Shame on you all who do this. Remember that earnest, honest work is the answer to whatever ails. Honest work is therapy for the mind and soul. Looking for Work? People don’t realize it but there is a job or new career out there for anyone that really wants one. It may not be the exact job you are wanting or the pay that you feel you need but none the less there is a job. Speaking of work, there are jobs and there are careers. Which do you want? A job is something you get up every day and go to. You may like the work or you may not. When your shift is over you go home and then begin the same routine the next day. On the other hand how about doing a little research and discover a career that you would enjoy spending the rest of your life doing. With this approach you pick what you would like to do. Don’t know where to begin? Visit the WorkOne Center in downtown Muncie located at 201 E. Charles Street and ask to speak to a Career Counselor.?The Counselor • ■ ■'* ' -S ^ will show you where to' begin researching and can continued on page 12