DEAR ABBY: I noticed a picture of a young boy on Facebook. He appeared to be about 4 or 5. He was holding a sign stating that if he received 20,000 "likes," his father would quit smoking. My immediate reaction was, "Isn't the fact that your son loves you enough to make you be healthy?"
I question the values we are teaching our young children. In a world where the trend is to conform and gather likes, how much value should we allow our children to place on the opinions of others? Should our self-esteem and actions be based this heavily on being "liked" by strangers or peers? I'm an old-fashioned gal who believes in family ties and the strength a person develops by acting independently. -- BELIEVES IN FAMILY TIES
DEAR BELIEVES: Whether we like it or not, people -- especially young people -- depend upon the affirmation of others. The internet provides a quick and easy way for folks to bring attention to themselves or to a cause they believe in. Whether this phenomenon is healthy, I cannot say -- but of this I am certain: It's here to stay.
I agree with you that for his health and for the sake of his child, the father should quit smoking without being bribed with computer clicks. Between you and me, I suspect it was something the boy's mother dreamed up. Perhaps I'm suffering from "cuteness fatigue." But if you believe a child thought that gambit up on his own, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.