Editorial
Recognising Today's Youth
It is a common mistake committed in societiesthroughout the world to focus on negative occurrences.
An act of goodwill and charity may warmour hearts for a minute, perhaps even one hour, but it is a sexscandal in the Oval Office of the United States, the discoveryof a celebrity's drug habit or the downfall of a popular sportshero that tend to hold most people's attention.
With modern day media seemingly infectedby a feeding frenzy, such salacious topics often boost ratings,attract listeners and sell newspapers.
When it comes to young people, this negativityis felt even stronger. Whether it is drugs, teen-pregnancies,increasing rates of high school drop-outs, and even gruesome schoolshootings, society is under constant bombardment of what today'syouth are doing wrong.
No one should be under the illusion thattoday's youth are particularly angelic, although adults themselvestend to glorify their younger days.
Yet there is growing recognition that thereare more external forces affecting youth today than there wereyears ago.
How is it then that, knowing what we knowand seeing how much easier it is for today's youth to venturedown the wrong path, we do not give better recognition to thoseyoung people who are doing well?
As adults the next lesson which should betaught after "you don't always get what you want" isto accept that not all of one's achievements are appreciated andthat a thankless job is simply a part of life.
This may indeed be what is so often deemed"the real world", but it is not this attitude alonewhich will inspire the citizens of tomorrow.
Young leaders should be a visible part ofour community and given proper credit for their accomplishments.
As a community we should let them know thattheir efforts are not in vain, and hopefully this appreciationwill keep them inspired to continue working.
In turn, although there is no substitutefor good parenting, we cannot ignore the influence that teenshave over each other. The same peer pressure which is so oftenblamed for good kids going astray can also influence young leadersbecome a positive influence in their peer groups.
The introduction of formal civics educationin our schools is certainly a positive and much needed step towardsthe future of the Cayman Islands. However, it will do very littlegood if outside the classroom our country's youth are not giventhe attention and the recognition they deserve.
Many adults are quick to state that thechildren of today are tomorrow's future. That, in too many unfortunatecases, is often the extent of their reasoning and thought process.
As a society, whatever we sow we shall reap.And if adults in the socially important organs of the family,the state, the church and the schools do not adequately nurtureand fertilsie this young crop, ours will be a grim harvest inthe future.
Since these same adults will have to co-existin tomorrow's society alongside those same people of tomorrow,it is incumbent on the seniors to ensure that proper values areindelibly etched in youngsters' minds.
It is not enough to criticize, pillory andvilify the youth. Adults, in securing their future, must of necessityguarantee that there is a concomitant security of those they willhave to rely upon in the evening of their years.
Despite the problems associated with today'syouth, it is not too late for a meeting of minds and a healingof hearts with the older generation.
Instead of rebuking them at every turn,if we can teach the youngsters kindness , honesty, forgiveness,respect for one another and reverence and love for God, this willgo a long way in making this world a truly better place.