“The Children, the Future” is the last of three posts of portraits from around the world. The others are A BRIEF MOMENT – PORTRAITS and JUST A MOMENT – PORTRAITS 2.
We look into our children’s eyes and tell them “the future is yours,” and they, in all their innocence, look to us with trust and forgiveness, eager to straighten out the mess we have left them. And so it goes.
It seems to me, we adults, more so than other species, have a difficult time preparing our kids for adulthood while allowing them to savor their childhood. In much of the world, because of political strife, poverty, or disease many children never reach adulthood. Or they are forced, prematurely, into adulthood or the workforce. or prostitution or worse.
In much of the so-called developed world, many kids are also robbed of their childhood. Like their parents, they are overachievers in training. Learning to take tests for the sake of the test score and not for knowledge.
“You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again.”
___Jean-Jacques Rousseau
“The prime purpose of being four is to enjoy being four — of secondary importance is to prepare for being five.”
___Jim Trelease
“A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
___Dr. Seuss
Lynn Sarda
1 Feb 2015Thoroughly enjoyed these, though some are heart breakers.
Sent from my iPad
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fotograffer
1 Feb 2015Some heartbreakers for sure, especially in Africa. Thanks for your comment Lynn.
Tina Schell
1 Feb 2015Wonderful post Ron. All terrific but I especially love the last.
fotograffer
1 Feb 2015Hard for me to pick a favorite but I remember well the sole look on his face when I made the photograph.Thanks for your comment Tina.
Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat
1 Feb 2015Fantastic series. I loved this.
fotograffer
1 Feb 2015Thanks much. It is good to hear from you.
ashokbhatia
1 Feb 2015Well captured!
fotograffer
1 Feb 2015Thank you so much. I appreciate your commenting.
anotherday2paradise
1 Feb 2015Wonderful portraits, Ron. Love the guy with the baseball bat. he looks like he really means business. 🙂
fotograffer
1 Feb 2015He was a cutie and knew it! We were there twice in as many years and he was too with his cap. Thank you Sylvia.
kerbey
1 Feb 2015These are wonderful. I don’t know them but I feel the urge to protect them like fragile little china cups.
fotograffer
1 Feb 2015Thank you Kerbey. I agree that they need our protection, though many don’t get it. But, isn’t it amazing how most turn out just fine in spite of us.
Dalo 2013
1 Feb 2015Wow Ron, these are simply an incredible set of portraits ~ all so different, covering so many different cultures, ideas and smiles. This is why we are all here, to take care of them the best we can until the can do it on their own…and if we can give them a happy childhood ~ the rest will take care of itself. Beautiful series…beautiful!!
fotograffer
1 Feb 2015They are a culmination of several years of ‘collecting” portraits. When I reflect on the images and look into their eyes fear for their futures because too many do not get the opportunity for “a happy childhood.” As you have alluded to recently, I feel many of our leaders are too self serving and not thinking of what is best for those they represent and especially those who do not yet have a voice. Hopefully, these kids will grow up and fix it. Surely they can do better than we are. Thanks for your thoughtful comments Randall.
gaiainaction
2 Feb 2015So very beautiful, all true treasures, how beautiful humankind can be/is
fotograffer
2 Feb 2015So true. I often wonder what their adult lives will be like and how they will manage. Thanks for your comment.
jakesprinter
3 Feb 2015Yes they are the future children but the kid at the last raw I don`t know what he think .
fotograffer
4 Feb 2015He doesn’t look very optimistic, does he? Thanks for stopping by Jake.
jakesprinter
4 Feb 2015True and he become the highlights of your post for me.. I think.
Pinetree Photo Nature Discovery
5 Feb 2015Wonderful collection! So diverse, but kids everywhere have so much in common too.
fotograffer
9 Feb 2015Certainly their innocence is universal, as it should be. Sadly, too many loose that all too soon. Thanks Carol.
Bams Triwoko
9 Feb 2015Wonderful portrait gallery… lovely… 🙂
fotograffer
9 Feb 2015Thank you so much Bams.
Tiny
23 Feb 2015Lovely portraits! Full of future.
fotograffer
4 Mar 2015Thanks for your comment Tiny.