15315-wolbert

Chapter 4 50 4.1 I NTRODUCTION Out on the ocean sailing away I can hardly wait To see you come of age But I guess we’ll both just have to be patient ‘Cause it’s a long way to go A hard row to hoe Yes, it’s a long way to go But in the meantime Before you cross the street Take my hand Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans John Lennon – Beautiful Boy 1 In this song written for his son Sean, John Lennon gives a beautiful description of the uncertainties and vulnerabilities of parenthood. He opens with the image of sailing out on the ocean – it is unclear to where he is heading, and whether a destination will be reached. This is a strong image of the leap of faith parents have to take when they begin with the complex task of raising their child. Lennon and his son both have to be patient, because ‘coming of age’ is not something that can be enforced or controlled. Some things will happen because of how parents raise their child, some because of what they omit to do, and some things happen to the child that are beyond the control of the parents. Most parents hope that their children will come to lead flourishing lives ( I can hardly wait to see you come of age ). Also, most parents will try to contribute to their child’s present and future flourishing ( before you cross the street, take my hand ). If parents strive for a flourishing life for their children, they will see their child-rearing as a contribution to their child’s chances of a flourishing life. They may raise their child in various ways, but we can assume that they would not do so in a way that, to their mind, would counteract the child’s chances of a flourishing life. 1 Lyrics retrieved from http://www.songteksten.nl/songteksten/328071/john-lennon/beautiful-boy--darling-boy- .htm.