04.02.14 The 10th Key for Adding Value to Your Parents' Lives

10. Protect your Parent’s Image Before the Public

My memory goes back to how I used to protect my dad’s image during public gatherings. In the Baganda culture, girls are expected to kneel down when greeting their parents; failure of which one’s ability to raise a girl child may be frowned upon or queried by observers and opinion leaders. Kneeling down is a habit that a daughter is taught from the toddler stage. However, my father, a university professor, viewed ‘kneeling’ as a form of ‘female harassment’ and would discourage us from kneeling when greeting him. However, despite his reservations, I made it a point to kneel when greeting him in the presence of relatives and other members of the community, to avoid denting his image, and dropping his value and personal worth before the public.

When we read Ruth’s story and her long-term relationship with Naomi, there must have been incidences where they disagreed with each other. However, I wish to infer that in order to protect Naomi’s image, Ruth must have kept those kinds of occurrences from public view, which could explain why the bible is silent about any such incidents.

A value-adding daughter protects the image of her parents; which is indispensably important since it could determine the degree to which the community values or honours them (parents); and you inclusive.

Therefore, as already said, a parent is not infallible and could make mistakes. However, you should never contribute towards or participate in mudslinging or maligning his or her image before the public.