Lessons from the Past: Virtues That Today’s Kids May Never Learn

We live in an age of instant gratification, it's easy to forget that patience, resilience, and creativity were once a part of everyday childhood experiences. Millennials—those who grew up in the pre-smartphone era—unintentionally learned virtues that shaped them into adaptable, resourceful adults. The very challenges that defined their childhoods and molded their adult lives have faded in today’s digital world, leaving us wondering: Are kids today missing out on essential life lessons? I lay down a few examples below:

Patience: The Art of Waiting

Millennials learned patience the hard way; waiting an entire week for the next episode of their favourite cartoon or tv series. We waited in long lines to buy movie tickets, sometimes coming back dejected after seeing boards with HOUSE FULL written outside the ticket counter. There was no "skip intro" button, no instant access to full seasons, and no binge-watching. We learnt to savour moments rather than consume content in one go.

Physical Fitness: Playgrounds Over Screens

I bet today’s kids growing up in cities, do not even know it is possible for kids to climb trees. They have not experienced cycling across town, or playing cricket in open fields and on empty roads on Sundays. Decades ago, physical activity wasn’t scheduled; it was a way of life. Unlike today’s generation, who spend hours indoors with digital distractions, Millennials unknowingly built strength, coordination, and endurance through unsupervised outdoor play. Falling, scraping knees, and getting back up and getting scolded and at times beaten by our parents back home was part of growing up. This not only made us physically fit, but also built up mental toughness.

Resourcefulness: Making the Most of What They Had

Taking photos on film cameras with only 24 or 36 shots meant every click had to count. There were no retakes, no instant previews, and no filters—just pure anticipation while waiting for the prints to develop. Millennials learned to make the best of uncertainty, a stark contrast to today’s kids who can delete and retake pictures endlessly. We had limited resources, be it birthday gifts or pocket money… Money was scarce and every rupee had an opportunity cost to it.

Social Skills: The Lost Art of Face-to-Face Communication

Before WhatsApp and Snapchat, friendships were built through actual conversations. Passing handwritten notes in class, knocking on a friend’s door instead of texting, or negotiating over marbles and trading WWF now WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) cards taught kids how to read emotions, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively.

Perseverance: Fixing, Not Replacing

If a cassette tape got stuck, kids carefully unwound it with a pencil. If a video game cartridge didn’t work, they’d blow into it (even if it didn’t always help). If a toy broke, they tried to repair it. There was no easy "buy a new one" mentality—fixing things was the norm. This built problem-solving skills that many kids today may never develop.

Delayed Gratification: Learning to Wait for Rewards

Millennials had to save up for things they wanted—be it collecting coins for arcade games, waiting for a birthday to get a new toy, or enduring months before a movie came on TV. This instilled financial discipline and the ability to delay gratification, something increasingly rare in today's one-click, same-day, same-minute delivery.

What Have We Lost?

Technology has undoubtedly made life easier, but it has also replaced many of the struggles that once built character. Today’s kids rarely experience boredom, setbacks, or the joy of solving problems on their own. While they may have access to vast amounts of knowledge, they might be missing out on the wisdom gained through lived experiences.

Perhaps it’s time to reintroduce some of these lessons into our children's lives—not by resisting technology but by ensuring they experience the simple, enriching challenges that once defined childhood. Because sometimes, the best way to prepare for the future is to embrace the lessons of the past.

Do let me know your views on this......

Dr. Reuben Buthello

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