It can, however, be extremely difficult at times, for parents and for children, to act justly.
This is why everything parents do should be done with affection. The parent’s role is one that can be put under the heading of ‘distributive justice.’ In this case ‘acting rightly’ means we have to try to overcome any kind of special sympathy or antipathy we have towards particular children. Each child is different and needs to be treated differently, but this has to be harmonised with general rules that apply across the whole family.
These rules for the family must be made in line with basic standards connected with the right to be respected by others, the right to help others and the right to play one’s part in keeping with one’s ability.
These rights are balanced by corresponding duties. But the way, each right and duty is interpreted and can be different, depending on each member’s character and circumstances.
It is a question, therefore, of orienting each child’s activity with a great deal of flexibility.
Children expect their parents to be just, especially when giving rewards and administering punishments. A severe punishment should be given if someone has broken a major rule.
Finally, parents also have to learn to rectify. It is not easy to be just, especially when we don’t have all the relevant data or when we are not fully in control of our actions.
RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
The idea is to see that our children acquire the virtue of justice not only so that they will act well at home and with their friends but also as responsible citizens.
Thus, we should bear in mind that automatic criticism, blind censure, without weighing pros and cons, is an act of injustice, an attack on distributive justice, which is the only virtue that allows states to operate.
What we are trying to develop is the desire to be just, and appreciation of what is the just thing to do in each situation.
You must remember that the Bible speaks more than 800 times about justice and ‘the just man,’ which means the ‘good person,’ the ‘saint.’