Let’s teach our children responsibility alongside rights

Wisdom is the greatest treasure anyone can possess.

When I recently saw a discussion on television about the issue of the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, I found myself deeply engaged.

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For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to the act of distributing private or sexual images of a person—often a former partner—without their consent.

These images may have been originally shared privately between consenting adults, but when they are shared publicly or with others without permission, it becomes a serious violation of privacy, trust, and human dignity.

This growing form of digital abuse affects many, particularly women and girls, and can have devastating emotional, social, and even legal consequences.

As a social justice advocate, I firmly believe in respecting people’s rights.

Yet this issue brought to the forefront another equally critical conversation—one that often receives far less attention: responsibility.

Are we teaching our children to be responsible, or are we merely raising them to know their rights?

I am convinced that responsibility must take precedence.

While rights are vital, they are most meaningful when exercised wisely and responsibly.

In contemporary society, particularly in communities emerging from decades or even centuries of oppression, there seems to be a disproportionate emphasis on rights over responsibility.

We are rightly concerned with ensuring that everyone knows their human and civil rights, yet too often we neglect the teaching of foresight, self-discipline, and accountability.

We must guide young people to understand that while they are entitled to certain freedoms, these freedoms carry potential consequences that require careful thought and prudent action.

I often share a personal example to illustrate this point.

I have the legal right to consume alcohol, and no one should prevent me from doing so, provided I do not harm anyone else.

Yet I choose not to exercise that right, not out of fear or restriction, but out of foresight and responsibility.

My decision is rooted in experience.

Many years ago, I drank excessively and invited two men I had just met into my home to continue drinking.

The evening took a dangerous turn: the men demanded bus fare, and when I could not provide it, they became violent.

They tied me with my own necktie, stole my smartphone and other belongings, and locked me in my room.

I eventually freed myself and reported the matter to the police, seeking justice.

In the days that followed, I reflected deeply on the incident.

Yes, these men had violated my rights and acted egregiously, but I also recognized my own failure to act responsibly by drinking excessively and inviting strangers into my home.

After careful thought, I returned to the police a few days later and asked them to close the case, taking full responsibility for my actions and their consequences.

It was this acceptance of responsibility that led me to give up drinking entirely, and I have remained sober for several years since, guided by the lessons of that night.

This principle of responsibility over rights is not limited to alcohol or personal safety.

Consider sexual activity among young people.

It is their right, once they have reached the age of consent, to engage in sexual relationships as they see fit.

No one should arbitrarily deny them that right.

Yet rights, when exercised without thought, can have devastating consequences.

Unprotected sexual activity can lead to unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and emotional trauma.

All too often, society reacts after the fact, blaming or punishing one party while the damage has already been done.

Far better, and far more humane, would be to instill in young people the discipline and foresight to consider the consequences of their actions before exercising their rights.

Responsibility, guided by wisdom, should always come first.

This brings us back to the issue of non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

There is no doubt that anyone who distributes intimate images of another person without consent is committing a grievous wrong.

The rights of the affected person are violated, and the perpetrator should face the full weight of the law.

Yet, while condemning this abuse, we must also consider the broader lesson for young people: the importance of exercising caution and responsibility before even creating or sending intimate images.

In most cases, these images are willingly taken and shared by the person in them or by someone they trust.

They have every right to do so, but the act of creating and sending such images must be accompanied by foresight and responsibility.

Thinking critically about the potential consequences—who might gain access, how the images could be misused—can prevent harm before it occurs.

Teaching responsibility alongside rights is not about blaming victims.

It is about equipping children and young people with the wisdom to navigate life safely and ethically.

Rights without responsibility can become tools of self-harm or instruments that inadvertently harm others.

Responsibility, on the other hand, nurtures judgment, empathy, and accountability.

It ensures that rights are exercised thoughtfully, minimizing harm and maximizing the potential for positive outcomes.

We live in a society that often prioritizes outrage over reflection.

We focus on defending rights, rightly so, but we rarely emphasize the equally vital discipline of thinking before acting.

Our educational systems, our families, and our communities must strike a balance: teach young people what they are entitled to, yes, but also teach them to anticipate the consequences of their actions.

Teach them that freedom is most powerful when coupled with responsibility.

Teach them that wisdom should guide choices even when the law permits certain actions.

Consider the broader societal impact of this approach.

If young people learned to pause and think, to weigh the potential consequences before making decisions, many crises we see today could be avoided—unplanned pregnancies, substance abuse, cyber exploitation, and even interpersonal conflicts.

Responsibility cultivates foresight, empathy, and self-respect.

It reduces the likelihood of harm to oneself and others and ensures that rights are exercised in a manner that strengthens society rather than weakening it.

As a society, we must also model this principle.

Adults, leaders, and role models should demonstrate responsibility in everyday decisions, showing young people that rights are not absolute privileges to be exercised without thought.

Instead, rights and responsibility must go hand in hand, forming the foundation of ethical, safe, and fulfilling lives.

Ultimately, our task is clear: we must raise a generation that understands the weight of their choices, that appreciates the power of foresight, and that exercises their rights responsibly.

Rights without responsibility are hollow.

Responsibility without rights is oppressive.

Only together do they form a society capable of protecting individuals while nurturing collective well-being.

The conversation around non-consensual sharing of intimate images serves as a stark reminder of this truth.

It underscores the need for education, reflection, and guidance that prioritizes wisdom as much as it celebrates freedom.

Rights are important, and they must be defended.

Yet, as the experiences of my own life and the realities of our society reveal, responsibility must take precedence in our teachings to the young.

Let us equip our children not only to know what they are entitled to, but also to anticipate the consequences of their actions.

Let us teach them that wisdom is the compass that should guide their rights.

Only then can we create a generation capable of exercising freedom safely, ethically, and with respect for themselves and others.

The message is simple but profound: think before you act.

Exercise responsibility before claiming your rights.

It is a lesson we must teach, a principle we must model, and a legacy we must leave for the children of Zimbabwe and beyond.