Are teenagers lost?

There have been several media reports about a “sex party for teenagers dubbed Project X.

In October last year over 500 students, most of them minors, were arrested in a discotheque in Eldoret. They had been drinking, using drugs and engaging in sex.

In the same month more than 200 teenagers were arrested at a bar in Nairobi. In August, 45 high school students were arrested for smoking bhang, drinking and having sex in a passenger service vehicle on their way home from school.

These are but a few of the cases that were exposed. How many more have gone undetected?

Evil Forces

At what point did the train leave the station? Does society have any clue what the future holds for our children and grandchildren? Are we impotent to this onslaught of negative influence on our young? Why have we not heard much comment on the issue from our political leaders who are usually not at a loss of anything to say?

Are we, as parents and responsible citizens willing to stand up and make our voices heard and take action to change this situation?

Or are we going to sit there feeling helpless, and hoping that someone out there is going to help us?

It is said “if you don’t manage change, change will manage you.” Children are being bombarded by all sorts of evil forces. There is a wind of wickedness and perversion that is trying to establish itself as the norm. What was unthinkable or unimaginable a generation ago has become mainstream and acceptable.

Perverted lifestyles are being introduced by movie producers who argue that their role is to portray a true representation of everyday life. It is happening out there so why should we keep it off the screen?

Unfortunately, this is also introduces alternative lifestyles into our homes with all the attendant promiscuity and experimentation.

If for example, our children see nothing wrong in the behaviour portrayed in the movies and even want to emulate it, then, fellow parents, the next generation is a tinderbox waiting to explode. However, we cannot just sit on our hands and let things be. What can we do to change this?

One way to transmit values and moral standards to another is by communication. The only way we can influence our children’s behaviour is by communication.

Old School Parents

However, what stands in the way? The most prominent impediment is the age difference.

At adolescence, children feel superior to their “old school” and backward parents. How can you be in sync with your child? How can you be an influence in your child’s life? How can your child look up to you and your values?

If your children are young, pre-adolescent, begin to create a friendship with them. Begin to talk with them about anything and everything.

Enter into dialogue with them whereby you listen more to what they have to say, about issues, than you speak. Take the opportunity to candidly share your view point and experiences with examples. Get very real with them — it is a jungle out there and anyone not forewarned is bound to get hurt.

But all is not lost, we can start by standing for what is right!