Advice to pass down to children for my generation

 I'm writing this because I just reflected recently on why I plan to die single. I have neither the means, ability, or emotional and mental maturity for having kids. I came to this conclusion long ago and have reconciled myself to never having a child of my own, whether via siring one myself or adoption.

That said if anyone out there is a parent. I'd like to pass on advice to give your kids if you are interested.

1. Teach them how to survive without high technology

As much as I love computers and the convenience of technology, there are far too many people who probably starve to death without modern tech. As much as preppers and people who shun tech for low tech from days gone by get stereotyped as Luddites, let's face it, if the power ever goes out, a computer is just a paperweight and a cell phone is meaningless. At the end of the day, people need to remember how to survive without them. Our ancestors had to do it, no reason why we shouldn't, and I advise you to teach your kids some basic survival skills if only so they don't wallow in despair during a power outage or natural disaster.

2. Have them get an honest job

College is not a be-all and end-all these days. Someone will always need a plumber, not everyone needs a master's in sociology. In fact, the plumber often has a higher chance of not going without unemployment these days. College is fine if you get a useful degree and secure a good job, but anyone who learns an actual trade as well is always going to have a near bulletproof fallback.

It also builds character. The most basic hard labor is going to teach any child that life is not and will never be easy when they have no one to rely on but themselves. Life only seems easy in our society because there is so much outsourced to technology and other people. Strip that away, and having to survive on your own hard work will give you a firm base for times of hardship, and thus your children would be well advised to learn honest labor that reminds them of this truth.

3. The Internet is not for everyone, especially social media

As much as the Internet has become a cornerstone of human interaction in my era, it's also given far more idiots, lunatics, and degenerates a microphone than ever before. Social media is just a distilled version of this concept in one of it's most direct forms. Parents, if you love your kids, please teach them to be careful in the following ways.

A. Email should always be approached with caution. Teach kids not to open everything without hovering over where the links go. If it seems suspicious, don't touch it. Spammers, phishers, and other scum will do anything to fleece people these days, teach your kids to double-check everything, even legit seeming emails that seem the slightest bit off.

B. Social media has its virtues but also the worst parts of a hugbox and insane asylum where the inmates are running the show. As much as you can build constructive friendships and associations there, it's also where some of the vilest cliques will form, and your kids need to be careful who and what they associate with. Parents, I especially urge you to keep tabs on what your kids interact with in these places, at least till they reach the age of adulthood legally. Your kids may resent it, but if you want your child to not fall into a bad crowd, get molested, be exposed to child porn, or otherwise fall into the rabbit hole of some other illegal or at least incredibly unsavory act, you need to monitor it like a hawk and impress on them the dangers that await.

4. Grow a thick skin

As I learned through my own experience, humanity can be very cruel. While it is within our species to do some of the laudable and honorable acts we are capable of, far often we are more prone to some of the base, depraved, and debauched acts. It's far more often your child will be pounced on by wolves than they will run into fellow sheep, and if they don't watch for those in this world who seek to tear them down as people, they will be overcome.

With that in mind, teach your kids how accept the cruelty of this world as reality as soon as they are old enough to comprehend the lessons. If you help them accept not every lesson the trials of the world present will not be easy, the harder and harsher ones they can deal with more maturely.

5. Teach them values

Disclaimer, I'm a Christian, but even for the most hardened atheist, agnostic, or even the parent who desires to impress no particular religious or moral creed, this advice applies to you too.

Some values should be taught your kids no matter what morals you personally subscribe to.

A. Have basic dignity. Don't do things you find immoral, degrading, or uncomfortable simply because of peer pressure.

B. Have standards. Don't be a mindless bigot, but don't be overly permissive of everything. Tolerance is a good idea, but it should only go so far. Sharing dirty needles is something no sane person should tolerate even if they aren't against recreational drug use, have some basic standards for your own health too. If you are religious or not, share your values on a voluntary basis, never try to force your values on others, whatever they may be.

C. Treat others equally. There a lot of people who demand special treatment. While some deserve respect above others for their responsibility and position in life, and such people, within reason, are entitled to basic minimum of courtesy, don't be a doormat. Respect is a two-way street. Much as military salutes are a courtesy a subordinate gives and superior returns, so should respect given when it is expected to be received in kind by the other party.

D. Be smart. Don't accept anything without an inquisitive mind and conscience. Lots of people will lie in this world, or at the very least tell a slanted version of the truth. Not everything written down is accurate, and not everyone can be trusted out of hand. Do your own digging. Make sure you shake the trees of the claims of others and see if any inconsistency falls out.