To the editor:

One of the greatest ironies of our time: today’s women have inherited from their mothers the freedom to claim authority in the military, corporations, churches, professions, politics and higher education. But they have been persuaded by their own gender to all but completely abdicate authority over their children.

Lack of discipline, no respect seems to start at a very early age with young children.

It also seems all too many mothers are afraid of their children. They are intimidated by their children’s tantrums, disrespect, disobedience and so on.

This is the biggest problem facing women today. Lack of authority and discipline by mothers leads to problems in school and the community. The child develops an attitude: It’s my way or no way.

Women once wore their authority over their children as the most natural habits. They no longer do. Many mothers complain that son or daughter doesn’t obey her.

It’s high time America’s mothers reclaim authority over their children and set down rules of obeying their parents.

They can start by saying and giving instructions to pick up toys and clean their rooms “because I said so, that’s why.”

Jane Dickinson

Lehigh Acres