You can't cheat kids. If you cheat them when they're children they'll make you pay when they're sixteen or seventeen by revolting against you or hating you or all those so-called teenage problems. I think that's finally when they're old enough to stand up to you and say, 'What a hypocrite you've been all this time. You've never given me what I really wanted, which is you'.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the notion that children cannot be deceived or cheated by their parents or guardians. It suggests that any betrayal or deceit experienced during childhood will ultimately lead to negative consequences in the form of rebellion, resentment, or teenage issues. Once they reach the age of sixteen or seventeen, they are deemed mature enough to voice their grievances and point out the hypocrisy displayed by the person who failed to provide them with genuine love and attention. The quote underscores the importance of genuine connection and emotional support in the parent-child relationship.

Topics