During the few past weeks, defaulting youngsters have been in the news headlines. While we have always claimed that today’s youngsters reflect the country’s future, such news make us skeptical about whether these youngsters will make our forthcoming days darker or brighter. During the past few years, youngsters have been encouraged and allowed to take their own risks and chances since both parents are working hard to make ends meet. But, have the freedom and easily available facilities made this new generation a care-free and vicious one?
Playing Truant and…
School truancy has always existed. While our parents used to run away from school to go to the cinema or even go to the seaside, nowadays truancy is taking on a new perspective. Recently, 9 students, including 3 girls, had skipped school and they were caught red handed in a “house” in Terre Rouge by the “Brigade des Mineurs.” These adolescents were taken into custody and released later after inquiry. Indeed, this is not the first of its type! In a recent past, MMS scandals and sex video tapes have spoiled the careers and even ruined lives of young people in Mauritius. Are these not a lesson or do these scandals not bear testimony that the teenagers have to refrain from such acts?
Project X in Goodlands
Possibly inspired by the Hollywood big grosser movie “Project X”, some adolescents organized an illegal dance party in a gymnasium in Goodlands. The local police carried out a raid at the “discotheque” and the party ended since the organizers had no legal authorization for such a gathering. Over a hundred youngsters who attended the party had no other option, than to go home.
Youngster’s Wandering Hands
Two students of the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD), aged 15 and 16 years respectively, were accused of sexual offence on a university student at Rose Bell. The lady aged 20, was walking on the pavement near Vieux Moulins when the two rogues came near her with wandering hands (you know what I mean). The guys were arrested and taken into police custody and one of them admitted the offence. The adolescents were released on bail after appearing in the Mahebourg court.
Raging at John Kennedy college
Entrance fee or lunch to go the toilet! High consumption of Cigarettes and beer! John Kennedy College, once one of the prestigious educational institution of the country is today a school where students fear to go. Indiscipline is ruling the premises. Bullying by the elder students has taken a dangerous bend where the young ones are even beaten. Parents even wanted to have their children transferred but were unsuccessful in their attempt.
Indeed, where is our society heading to?
Have moral values, respect and humanity lost their places? While parents with their income generating activities, teachers with their bulky-syllabus oriented attitude and religious institutions with their politics are throwing the ball in each others’ hands to take the responsibility of the youngsters, instead of actually doing it, these people of the young generation are heading towards doom.
Is it not time for everyone to play a significant role in molding the youngsters to become responsible members of the society? Don’t we want a safer and peaceful future? If we delay more in taking appropriate actions like inculcating moral values and ethical standards in those adolescents, such that we have more responsible and mature teenagers in the society, then we are sure to be afraid to walk in the streets soon.
Exposure to the western culture through television, internet and the media, too much freedom in childhood days, “spare the rod, spoil the child” concept – are these the causes of such a situation in our country? If not, what are the causes?