They[children] bear the seeds of the character of future
society which is largely shaped by what the adults constituting the community
do or fail to do with respect to children. They are a trust no community can
neglect with impunity. An all-embracing love of children, the manner of
treating them, the quality of the attention shown them, the spirit of adult
behaviour toward them -- these are all among the vital aspects of the requisite
attitude. Love demands discipline, the courage to accustom children to
hardship, not to indulge their whims or leave them entirely to their own
devices. An atmosphere needs to be maintained in which children feel that they
belong to the community and share in its purpose. They must lovingly but
insistently be guided to live up to Bahá'í standards, to study and teach the
Cause in ways that are suited to their circumstances.
(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 2000)
(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 2000)
