Forum: Let’s show our children restraint is strength
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I refer to the article “ Man jailed for fracturing another father’s face in playground dispute over their children”
As a father, I can understand that flash of anger – especially when one’s child is insulted or bullied. The instinct to protect runs deep.
But how do we explain that to our children? How do we teach them that justice is not always about hitting back?
Many of us have faced moments like this – on the road, in the workplace, or online – when being calm feels impossible. Walking away can seem like weakness. But often, the stronger person is not the one who strikes out, but the one who restrains himself. It takes real courage to master one’s temper when everything inside demands a reaction.
According to an ancient piece of wisdom, a person who can control their anger is mightier than one who conquers a city. That truth still holds today.
When we lose control, we surrender reason to emotion. When we stay calm, we protect our dignity – and often prevent a bad situation from worsening.
If we react with violence, we risk teaching our children that might makes right. However, if we model restraint, we demonstrate that true strength lies in self-control.
Restraint may feel unfair in the moment, but it is the wisdom that preserves both our personal integrity and the fabric of a civil society.
Sherman Low Sze Hong
