Why Hitler became a tyrant?

“Today, not only in Sri Lanka, but in many other parts of the world, there is an escalation of disharmony in the form of murder, robbery, sex abuse, drug and liquor addiction, suicide and thuggery. Some sociologists very often attribute such anti-social activities to many a socio-economic factor such as free economy, poverty and conservative norms, but they often fail to think of character formation of children at home.”
_______________________________

by L. V. Cabral

(March 29, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) In the most formative age of children, character can be smoothly developed. What is character? It is a multi-significant word. It comprises, honesty, sincerity, truthfulness, reliability, courtesy, friendliness and understanding. Character cannot be cultivated overnight but the foundation of character building can be laid when children are growing.

Obviously, the parents are the paramount builders, architects and teachers, elders and children’s friends are the subcontractors. Children can pick up the nobilities of character effortlessly and naturally at home. Children follow their parents meticulously; the parents’ language, speech patterns, attitudes to life, courtesy, social relationship, father and mother’s rapport, fidelity, loyalty and devotion. When parents are the models, invariably their children become men and women of noble character, a blessing to any society. So it is crystal clear that the outcome of a child’s mental and physical formation mainly depends on parents. If parents fail in their obligation, the consequences may be destructive and shattering.

The wise saying is:

Money lost nothing lost

Health lost something lost

Character lost everything lost

You can make or break your child

Adolf Hitler, it is evident was the number one tyrant in world history. It is stimulating to observe how Hitler became such a heartless butcher to kill about six million Jews and thousands of sick, mentally indisposed and elderly people. The book, Handle with care, you can make or break your child (Better yourself books Bombay by C. P. Varkey S.J.) has an interesting chapter on the childhood of Adolf Hitler. His father was an illegitimate son of a well-to-do Jew and mother a German.

Hitler’s childhood was deplorable and piteous. Living a life of corruption, sinfulness and dishonesty, his father believed only in the strong arm or regimentation technique in disciplining children without showering love, affection, care, warmth and tenderness on them. On many an occasion, Hitler was clouted and punched mercilessly for the slightest offence until he fell unconscious. Hatred for Jews was obviously implanted in the most delicate, perceptive mind of child Hitler. As a result of which when he grew up and became the charismatic leader of the nation, he pointed out that all ills, corruption and rot in Germany was entirely due to Jews and extermination of the entire Jews nation was the panacea for all ills in Germany.

In his 1932 election speech, Hitler told the Germans, "If you will elect me as the Fuhrer of German nation I will introduce a new world order that will last a thousand years." The eminent historian Francis Miller says that twenty million people died precisely due to Hitler’s new world order. Further, an aunt of Hitler, who was an inmate of the house, made the others life grief-stricken and wretched. She was mentally indisposed. Occasionally, she used to yell, abuse others, dash China on the floor, disturb others at dead of night by wailing and stamping. Hatred and detestation, destructive mental inkling against the sick and the old was firmly embedded in the impressive mind of child Hitler. Later, when Hitler held sway in Germany he ordered the wiping out of the old, the infirm, the sick and the weak so that he may set up his new world order without hindrance and remonstration.

Today, not only in Sri Lanka, but in many other parts of the world, there is an escalation of disharmony in the form of murder, robbery, sex abuse, drug and liquor addiction, suicide and thuggery. Some sociologists very often attribute such anti-social activities to many a socio-economic factor such as free economy, poverty and conservative norms, but they often fail to think of character formation of children at home. Children if brought up by educated, exemplary, virtuous accomplished parents, rarely resort to anti-social activities. So the role of the family is paramount for social harmony, peace and discipline. Fortunately, we have preserved some noble social principles and values. We call others, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts although related or not and visit kith and kin with gifts and exchange greetings on significant occasions, co-operate with neighbours in farming, putting up or thatching houses or on special occasions like weddings, funerals and other functions expecting no remuneration at all. All our noble values can be applied in the formation of children’s character, social harmony and well-being. All the time our children prostrate themselves before their parents as if the parents were deities.

When these traditional customs are properly adopted, implemented and preserved in the formation of character of children, peace and harmony of families and societies would be a reality. So the techniques of child formation is predominant and parents are invariably the master builders of children’s character. Some build mansions and castles calling to mind fame and glory. Parents build children’s characters for them to blossom in to future gentry.
- Sri Lanka Guardian