Youth face difficult issues, hard decisions
AS WE celebrate Youth Month and acknowledge our advancements, accomplishments and development in the 21st century, we have to be mindful of important issues facing our generation and ways to address them.
South Africa has experienced an increase in divorce, early death of parents, and abandoning of children, which has resulted in single-parent homes and child-headed homes.
Raising a child is difficult in our tough economic conditions and the situation is more dire when there is only one parent or no parents.
A single parent brings home less income, but a home headed by a child has greater financial constraints.
In child-headed homes, youngsters are forced into the labour market to play their role as providers.
However, when their earning does not spread adequately, they consider alternative streams of income such as crime and prostitution.
In those homes and ones headed by single parents, often, the children are not given appropriate guidance on a range of issues, including the importance of education.
This can result in children from those homes being exposed to various sexual activities and even pregnancy.
A recent study by the Shallcross Youth Movement of schools in the area revealed that one in four pupils consumes alcohol.
Alcohol adds to anti-social, immature and violent behaviour.
With the proliferation of the internet, movies and the booming international music industry, the youth are being exposed to more sexually explicit content than ever.
Often the content on these platforms promotes abuse of women and promiscuity. Such behaviour is being portrayed as the norm. The youth are often caught in a quandary differentiating between make believe and reality, and their desire to fit into social circles.
Education is an important foundation to equip youngsters for life in the real world.
Therefore, places of learning are expected to be safe zones for nurture.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Places of learning have become war zones, where youngsters face violence like shootings, stabbings, gang violence and even instances of suicide.
Society promotes materialism. Youth are told that the measure of a person’s success and happiness in life is how many things you acquire. The unfortunate result is that at an early age, the young tie themselves down in debt, which brings with it stress, health issues and even crime.
Obesity has become a serious issue as well. The youth are drawn to television and exercise is not part of their daily lives. Obesity opens the youth to ridicule, low self-esteem, depression and health concerns.
An increase in technology has caused youngsters to become more connected to their cellphones and computers, but disconnected socially. Recently, we experienced a lack of togetherness among young people which has resulted in issues such as xenophobic attacks.
While the youth are grateful for the advances and opportunities life offers to our generation, we also deal adequately with our challenges.
We have to realise that we cannot sit back and complain about problems we face. Instead, we should step out and put forward meaningful solutions to challenges. TODAY is Father’s Day, it’s the day that children honour their dads for their love, responsibility and caring spirits.
Tribune Herald spoke to a few celebrities about the special “man” in their lives and the significance of the day. We asked them four questions:
1 What are your plans for Father’s Day? 2 Why your dad is the best? 3 What is the relevance of Father’s Day?
4 If you had the power to grant one of your father’s wishes, what would he ask?
East Coast Radio presenter
1 Sundays are quality time days for me and my dad. So, I guess lunch at his favourite restaurant and lots of gifts.
2 He is my motivator. At his age, he has fought many battles including illnesses and his faith and positive outlook to life inspires me daily. He has guided me to become who I am, and I am forever grateful for that.
3 Appreciating the man who loved us from the time we came to Earth. Even though dads should be acknowledged and celebrated all year round, Father’s Day is the one day that trumps higher. It’s Dad’s day to be spoilt all day!
4 He would want my mum up in heaven to be here to be at my wedding next year. Dolphins cricketer
1 I’d like to take my dad and my family out for lunch or dinner. In the morning I like to go to gym with dad and reminisce about the things we did together when I was younger.
2 My dad is the best because he always has my family’s best interests at heart. No matter the situation or time, he’s always there for us. He has made every effort to watch me in action during my career, it is something every youngster wants.
3 It shouldn’t be one special day to show your father the appreciation he deserves.
4 I think my dad will ask me to keep his legacy going. All that he has built up and provided us with, he will want me to continue on the same path. TV personality and actress
1 Unfortunately, this Father’s Day, I will be on another continent with a nine-hour time difference. Although I won’t be with my dad physically, I will make sure I have a Skype session to wish him and be able to see him and my family.
We are all very close so I am sure he will be spoilt. I also have a gift for him which is quite sentimental. I collected all of his pictures from other family members and compiled an album for him.
2 He is so loving, kind-hearted and giving. He has taught us how to love unconditionally and enjoy life. I don’t know anyone else who lives life to the fullest the way he does and has such a mischievous, addictive personality that makes people gravitate towards him. He has always been so supportive of my dreams.
3 Although everyone says we should celebrate everyone in our lives every day, it is still great to have an extra special day where we shower our loved ones with attention and just remind them how special they are to us.
Father’s Day allows us to also be introspective and remember that we are lucky to have our dads with us and not take loved ones for granted.
To those who don’t have a dad alive, it’s a day to relive memories we had with our fathers.
4 He would probably ask us to do something that would benefit the entire family.
So he would maybe like a large get-together with all his family and friends or a holiday to some lovely island with all his family and friends. Rapper
1 Just to spend some quality time as a family. This has always been a priority for us growing up so it’s always been essential and part of the reason we are so close.
2 He never denies us anything but at the same time taught us responsibility and to have a work ethic. His love for us never saw any boundaries and he always tries more than his best when it comes to his family.
3 I feel like Father’s Day shouldn’t necessarily be a malecelebrated day. It should celebrate a woman fulfilling the duties of a father as well. That’s something to respect.
4 It is hard to say because my father has always been a humble man and doesn’t really ask for much. I know it would defintely include his family. Singer
1 It is a day to spend with my father, I will be with him, and appreciate all the things he has done for me.
2 My father has always been there for me, he is the most responsible person, he is someone you can rely on, and he never disappoints.
3 I guess it is to make known the love we have for dad.
4 My father loves watching birds. I would like to take him to the largest bird sanctuary where he could spend hours taking in the sight and sounds of birds. Gospel singer known as J-Jo
1 My plan is to appreciate the fathers in my life. My biological dad, my father-in-law, spiritual dad, and not forgetting my husband, the father of my children.
2 My dad is the best because he leads by example. He doesn’t expect me to do something that he hasn’t already done. His ability to stand strong even when everything seems to be falling apart has made me the strong woman I am today.
Anyone can be a dad but their actions must show it. My dad has shown it. He has etched in my mind what a model father should be.
3 Father’s Day is a time to pay tribute to the importance of dads in family life and their critical role as leaders, mentors, teachers and generational directors.
4 His wish would be for me to remain an honorable daughter by honouring God, our family name and being an upright citizen.
His wish would be for me to always be happy because my happiness is his happiness.