Photo: Students in Colombo based one of the International Schools , who are involving with the party at night club in Kollupitiya, Colombo - pix by Lanka Guardian special correspondent.Dr. Mareena Thaha Reffai from Dehiwela , Colombo
There appears to be a new way of committing robbery around Dehiwela and Wellawatte. A youth walking down a lane is suddenly surrounded by a group of youngsters in jeans and t-shirts, with bags slung over their backs, looking like school going kids — probably they are— and one of them intimidates the youth showing a knife and asks for his mobile. If he doesn’t yield, he is stabbed on his sides. Passersby will never suspect that this is a hold up as they only see a bunch of kids.
As much as this should shock us, it should also make us wake up to the reality that it is all our fault — the fault of the present older generation.
Our younger generation has too much of a burden — too much of freedom. The educational system is very competitive; exam oriented and is in such disarray that no child irrespective of the school he or she attends can do without tuition. After the exhaustive studies the children seek solace in drinking, free intermingling of sexes and taking drugs to boot.
On the other hand parents have got so addicted to the TV, computer and the rat race of making ends meet that they have no time for the children. They abandon their responsibility of supervising and guiding their children in the name of granting them ‘freedom,’ little realising that the young teens with time hanging on their hands would be tempted to experiment with drugs, sex, gambling and other nefarious activities. Sometimes pressure from their children's friends seem to be excuse enough for the parents to abandon their responsibility.
Another reason prompting our youngsters to get used to drugs, gun culture and ‘fast life’ is due to the fact that there are no decent places for them to spend their leisure time. There are no places for healthy games. Unlike in the villages, where can a city youngster go after school to spend an hour or so in some refreshing activity? Nowhere — except the casinos, computer games centers and parties.
Everywhere the youngsters go is replete with sex, drugs, discos, gambling etc.
Our so-called leaders are not setting a proper example either. When the youngsters see what our politicians and other social leaders are doing — indulging in cheating, thuggery and murder and still getting away scot free — the youth can hardly be blamed for following suit.
It is time the parents took charge. It is time we set up some decent ‘clubs’ where the children have clean fun under the supervision of a few parents. It is time we told the children that 10 p.m is the latest they can stay out. It is time we act to see that the burden of their education is reduced by insisting on better teaching in schools and changing the exam oriented competitive curriculum. It would be good if a child’s ability is gauged and he/she guided to a suitable career early in life. This is a tall order — true but if we don't act soon the teens of today who are the adults of tomorrow, will turn around and curse us parents for abandoning our responsibility and letting them be preyed upon by unscrupulous elements.
Will every parent please take note?
There appears to be a new way of committing robbery around Dehiwela and Wellawatte. A youth walking down a lane is suddenly surrounded by a group of youngsters in jeans and t-shirts, with bags slung over their backs, looking like school going kids — probably they are— and one of them intimidates the youth showing a knife and asks for his mobile. If he doesn’t yield, he is stabbed on his sides. Passersby will never suspect that this is a hold up as they only see a bunch of kids.
As much as this should shock us, it should also make us wake up to the reality that it is all our fault — the fault of the present older generation.
Our younger generation has too much of a burden — too much of freedom. The educational system is very competitive; exam oriented and is in such disarray that no child irrespective of the school he or she attends can do without tuition. After the exhaustive studies the children seek solace in drinking, free intermingling of sexes and taking drugs to boot.
On the other hand parents have got so addicted to the TV, computer and the rat race of making ends meet that they have no time for the children. They abandon their responsibility of supervising and guiding their children in the name of granting them ‘freedom,’ little realising that the young teens with time hanging on their hands would be tempted to experiment with drugs, sex, gambling and other nefarious activities. Sometimes pressure from their children's friends seem to be excuse enough for the parents to abandon their responsibility.
Another reason prompting our youngsters to get used to drugs, gun culture and ‘fast life’ is due to the fact that there are no decent places for them to spend their leisure time. There are no places for healthy games. Unlike in the villages, where can a city youngster go after school to spend an hour or so in some refreshing activity? Nowhere — except the casinos, computer games centers and parties.
Everywhere the youngsters go is replete with sex, drugs, discos, gambling etc.
Our so-called leaders are not setting a proper example either. When the youngsters see what our politicians and other social leaders are doing — indulging in cheating, thuggery and murder and still getting away scot free — the youth can hardly be blamed for following suit.
It is time the parents took charge. It is time we set up some decent ‘clubs’ where the children have clean fun under the supervision of a few parents. It is time we told the children that 10 p.m is the latest they can stay out. It is time we act to see that the burden of their education is reduced by insisting on better teaching in schools and changing the exam oriented competitive curriculum. It would be good if a child’s ability is gauged and he/she guided to a suitable career early in life. This is a tall order — true but if we don't act soon the teens of today who are the adults of tomorrow, will turn around and curse us parents for abandoning our responsibility and letting them be preyed upon by unscrupulous elements.
Will every parent please take note?
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