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SAVING OUR YOUTHS
Since the passing of the no-confidence motion in Parliament on December 21, 2018, the focus has been on the government and the argument over an absolute majority in Parliament. As a result, 
the nation has ignored a worrying trend that is unfolding in Guyana and is seriously endangering youths and could negatively impact the wider society.
Many will agree that after 52 years of independence, we have not yet brought to maturity the kind of country our founding fathers have dreamt of and declared in our motto, ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. Our journey has essentially veered off course, but we have accomplished quite a bit.
Over the years, Guyana has become known around the world, mostly for its good deeds, but also for some bad experiences, such as the infamy of what transpired at Jonestown. Internally, our economy is struggling, crime is widespread, corruption is still rampant and our social and political structures are not intact.
A generation has passed since independence, a new generation has emerged, but a changing of the guard is urgently needed to bring a glimmer of hope to an anguished nation. Since the defeat of the government in the no-confidence vote, the nation has descended into a constitutional crisis. Cries for new leadership, in general, have intensified. Some say that the struggle for power is unsettling.
The truth is, we have not had leaders who have genuinely put the country first and who are truly committed to solve the nation’s problems. Further, too many in government do not have the experience, skills and the moral fibre needed to move the country forward. Neither has there been a clear commitment to operate by principles of transparency and accountability. Many of our youths are bewildered and hopeless; others are jobless and are struggling to survive. Too many, unfortunately, see crime as their only saviour. These are worrying trends that, if not expeditiously addressed and uprooted from society, will ensure that progress and prosperity remain elusive dream.
These trends are like a cancer, which is destroying the youths; many have turned to mobile phones to escape their boredom and sorrows. Studies have shown that youths believe that the use of cell phones is a culturally acceptable normative behaviour and that a very high percentage of them are spending most of their time on these devices talking, texting or sexting.
The latter is the sending of sexually explicit photographs, video, text messages, or e-mail by mobile phones to a willing or unwilling receiver. Sexting is intended to increase the senders’ popularity or to solicit sexual attention and liaisons. It also tends to increase teens’ ability to engage in sexual liaisons that could increase teenage pregnancy, abortions and sexually transmitted diseases. This will increase pressure on our already strained health care services.
This worrying trend must be avoided among our very impressionable young citizens. It speaks to the thought processes of youths who are inordinately caught up in sexual activities at a very young age. It distracts them from focusing on their studies and passing examinations critical to achieving their career dreams. In such circumstances, society can only expect to see a higher number of underachievers and school dropouts.
This is not a good thing for the future of the country, its workforce and production. We must not remain silent. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
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