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SAVING OUR YOUTHS

Aug 30, 2015 Editorial

All over Guyana youths are bored and are rebelling against the status quo. Many are unemployed and have become frustrated and despondent with the system that has ignored their plight. The APNU+AFC government ought to know that youths are impatient and will not wait forever on the government to address their problems. Every adult was once a youth and like the youths of today, they too were impatient and have made some terrible mistakes, so all is not lost with the youths. The nation must not give up on the youths but must always strive to help them. Criticizing the youths, especially in light of their criminal activities and shootings that have ended tragically for some, and the concern voiced generally about the high level of crime will not help, but saving them will and should be the focus of the nation and the government. Allowing them to go astray is not an option.
There are still many assertive youths in the country who are doing everything possible to make a meaningful contribution to society. For example, many have and continue to make a positive difference in their lives and are hoping for an end to the crime wave. Others are seeking to further their education at tertiary institutions. And there are those who are taking matters into their own hands and not waiting for handouts from the Government. And yes, some have turned to drugs and crime, but this should inspire the nation to do more to save them.
The government must do all it can to help youths because they did not one day just wake up and turn to drugs and criminal activities. Unfortunately, the signs were there for all to see but they were ignored. Many were being groomed to become criminals when they were much younger due to the lack of rules, proper structure, role models, morals, discipline and parental upbringing—all of which have contributed significantly to their current state. The justice system, especially the prison is also a contributor to the criminality of youths. Years of incarceration among hardcore criminals have served to make them tougher and their mindsets worse.
While Guyanese continue to voice their concerns about the daily reports of violent crimes and murders in the country, they ought to know that these criminal activities were always there and all that has occurred recently is more youths are involved, thus causing crimes to multiply and spread throughout the country. But the crime situation in Guyana is no different to that of other countries. Every criminal act produces pain, disappointment and suffering, but if the people should look beyond the surface, they would realize that such acts also provide opportunities to help save the youths. It is like a recurring cancer that will get worse if treated with the same ineffective medicine.
Saving the youths is in everyone’s best interest, but no one organization or institution can do it. The Government, the justice system, schools, churches, societal organizations, media and families must work together to save the youths. Each of these institutions has the power needed to stimulate and turn them away from drugs and crimes. They need a moral foundation on which to build their lives, therefore, the church must continue to reach out to them, especially the hopeless youths who do not see a bright future for themselves.
The education system has also contributed to their anti-social behavior. In fact, studies have shown that there is a connection between high school dropouts and crime. School dropouts would find it difficult to get a decent job, yet they will want the finer things in life and would do what is necessary to obtain those, including committing crimes. Some youths believe that they are being forced into a school system whose curriculum is not relevant to their surroundings, upbringing and background.The nation has created the problem and it has to find the solution. The pressure is building up and if the government does not step up and provide an outlet for the pressure to escape, there will be dire consequences. Saving our youths should be the government’s highest priority.

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