Dear Editor
Frankly speaking, I will admit that I am not in agreement that the lack of parental guidance and poverty are responsible for the downfall of our young people whose behavior are violent & outrageous and causing havoc in our communities today.
It is my view that our young people’s downfall is simply caused by the status quo they’ve created which involves the excessive abuse of cannabis, their high focus on fashion, their involvement with the gangster dancehall music, their fatal attraction towards technological gadgets & social media and how they are viewed or been stereotyped in our society.
Undoubtly, the young people of today are much more different than those of yesterday. Today, they are aggressive, reckless, radical and very hyped thus creating a culture for themselves to bring about an identity and a sense of belonging & independence for self assurance.
As young people they are no longer adhering to the norms of our society, hence they are finding ways to rebel and create their own norms or status quo for pleasure, communication & social relations.
Gone are those days where young people see themselves as second class in our society and accept being look down on in a condescending manner. They see themselves on the same social plateau as us the adults. Perhaps the exposure to the internet & to higher education are factors that have contributed to their inflated ego.
Some young people are now resorting to stealing, prostituting, violence, gambling and other ills, and using such practices as a gateway to acquire the amenities so they can fit into that status quo of their peers. However, they do not realize that these ill practices come with a price. A price of risking their lives & simultaneously, placing others lives at risk.
Furthermore, to send a macho message & to have that sense of belonging, portraying the image of a bad boy and dressing in a particular manner like wearing pants below the buttocks has also become apart of the young people’s culture especially the young men. It is s an opportunity to boost their self esteem and to express & create an image for themselves.
Sadly, over the years our society has accepted these practices from the young people as a norm and as a freedom of expression. Now, these practices has transformed the young people’s lives and are now haunting our communities where we have found ourselves trying to correct a situation where the horse has already bolted out of the stable.
The young people’s behavior is certainly a disease plaguing our society. This disease of ” fashion, dance hall gangster music & the portray of badness is a serious epidemic among young people.
The young people have now created their own identity and even gone further to introduce their own language. ” Hey Dawg, a wha ya say Dawg” Of course the term Dawg is not used derogatively, but as a word to give respect or honor to their peer.
To solve these crimes & violent behaviors of our young people, will not be an easy task. They are already set & comfortable in their ways. To take them out from that comfort zone will no doubt be met with resistance & aggression as to what is happening today..
Alex
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