Old People and Children at Work

Last time we saw just how important St. Benedict considered caring for the sick. It's a #1 priority in a monastery, taking precedence over all the rules and responsibilities he records. 

We also noted how this precious care for the sick was betrayed in the last few years in our world turned upside down since the C-Virus (COVID) Mess descended on us in 2020. Doctors and the entire health care system have lost the confidence and trust of many of us as a result.

From the sick, St. Benedict moves on to old people and children. They also held a special place in a monastery and draw special concern and attention from the monks. I would hope that's the case for all of us as well. Here's what St. Benedict has to say:

"Although human nature itself is drawn to pity towards these times of life, that is, towards old men and children, yet let them be provided for also by the authority of the Rule. Let there be constant consideration for their weakness, and on no account let the rigour fo the Rule in regard to food be applied to them. Let them, on the contrary, receive compassionate consideration and take their meals before regular hours."

Assuming we're already giving appropriate solicitation to our own old folks and our own children, let's take a look at how these two special groups have fared in the work place, starting with children.

Yes, children. Lest we forget, here in the so-called developed world, as the Industrial Age swept over England, the United States, and other countries, young children were enlisted for labor. Many times that labor was harsh. Just read about and look at photos of children working coal mines and factories if you're not familiar with the awful story. 

And while many of us pride ourselves that we're not exploiting children as they did in the 19th and early 20th centuries, children in other parts of the world may not fare much better even these days. Moreover, we all know of the horror of human trafficking in children. We won't dwell on that here, except to say that children's place in our society still needs improving. And those who exploit children at any level will likely face an uncertain future when the time comes for them to answer the call of - to use St. Francis of Assisi's term - Sister Death.

I've never encountered children in the workplace, except for days when companies I've worked for invited employees to bring their child to work. It's interesting to be where Dad works. 

Let's all pray that children are restored to the level of attention and care that St. Benedict describes.

As for old people, we're still, for the most part, shoving them out the door - at least the ones who would prefer working rather than "retire." Sure, some folks can't wait to stop doing a job they don't enjoy. And some simply can't function at the level the job requires, especially if the job is super-demanding physically or mentally. But that's not always the case. 

Forcing retirement on a man - or woman - ready, willing, and able to work really is unfortunate. Yes, I understand the argument that old people need to make way for younger workers if there are to be good jobs for those looking to start their career and a family, etc. But there's got to be a better way than putting old folks "out to pasture."

Never mind the exploitation (there's that word again) of older people. Sadly, these are targeted by all sorts of bad guys (and gals) with bad intentions. 

You have to wonder what's gone wrong with those who would prey on children and old folks, even those who would force older workers out of the jobs they enjoy, jobs they do well.

As St. Benedict explains, "...human nature itself is drawn towards these times of life, that is, towards old men and children...."

Human nature: It's against human nature to exploit these. Indeed we all - ALL - should seek to do the opposite. 

If you have old folks in your world, and you're not doing all you can to see that they're given respect and love, and lead a life of dignity, then get cracking and do all you can for them.

If you know of children who are in any way being taken advantage of, remember that we are all our brother's - and our children's - keeper. Our concern and solicitation includes making sure they're not exposed to the sorts of perversions and twisted teaching that too many of our educational institutions have been promoting - the latest iteration being those "story-telling" sessions led by so-called "transgender" creatures, typically men garishly dressed up as women (although it could be women garishly dressed up as...whatever it is they claim to be).

If we can't care for our old people and our children, we'll lack any stability in our families. If we lack stability in our families, we bring that into our workplace. 

If our goal is to build stability in our workplace to counter the troubles this world has been heaping on us, we need to make sure our personal lives are stable. With that assurance, we carry our personal stability to the workplace - a workplace that, ideally, does not and would never exploit either children or old people.