I AM writing about the seemingly 'soft' current generation.

Recently we have had Mr Philip Yeo, former chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, speaking about the lack of a 'value system' in scholarship holders who break their bond, parents writing in to complain that anti-smoking ads traumatise their children, and students and parents alike complaining about the 'repressive' nature of local schools.

I, for one, am a firm advocate of regimental discipline, especially for children and youth. I believe that this training breeds courtesy, discipline and propriety, values which are sorely lacking in the youth, indeed even adults, today.

Parents are the guardians of their children's morals, and being lax or overly lenient is detrimental to them. Instead of trying to shield their children from perceived hardship, parents ought to make a lesson of it, explaining why certain rules or regulations are so.

In the past decade we have seen many changes to a child's environment, for example, playgrounds no longer have sand as the basic surface; rubberised foam is used instead.

We allow students to wreak havoc in class by way of interruptions, on the premise that 'no question is a stupid question', the hapless teacher unable to keep his or her students quiet, lest their parents complain that he or she does not encourage learning.

When children cannot learn to deal with dirt, are unable to endure slight injuries, cannot abide by a bond, fail to maintain their attire to prescribed standards, fake injuries to escape strenuous postings in the armed forces, we know that society is in danger of deterioration. Where is our sense of honour? What has become of our nobler qualities?

What would happen if a piece of steel resents being rubbed against a sharpening stone because it is too much discomfort? It would never become a knife.

I beseech parents and parents-to-be to give some thought to my observations before trying to make life easier for their children. They should think of the character they are moulding.

Colin Sim Yaowen