We live in a “broken” world, a world that is full of contradiction in almost all spheres of life. The heightening level of moral decadence, family breakages, crime and the threatening social trends have hit every corner of our society. The youth at some point are caught up in this mess. They cry aloud and quite often, no one seem to be hearing! Not even the Church and society seem to fully listen!
The cry of the self-hatred, is one from youth born out of wedlock, divorce, domestic violence, that leaves the youth helpless. Hence, they pity themselves with so much hatred of why they are in such a reality. Youth born out of drug addicted or alcoholic parents, may not experience what a true love of parent is all about. The image of a dad one has, is that of a regular home late comer, drank and beats up the mother and the entire family loses sleep. This is a cause for self-hatred. Stress, and cry for security. Yet, there seem to be no one to listen and come to their rescue.
The cry of the Psychological Orphans; Youth may experience despair as a result of being frustrated, hatred from parents, sexual abuse, delinquent behaviours, children of low income working class parents and constant quarrels. Youth dismissed from seminaries and convents, are left orphaned, since their ray of hope has been torn apart and no one is willing to listen to them. Their rights are not respected, some may wish they never lived at all.
Cry of the Social Protest, is yet another cry among the youth. Youth in our institutions of learning are in a constant level of discovery, but in practice and they protest when our governments do not answer their needs. They cry against sexual harassment in favour of better marks, the ever-increasing cost sharing and extreme economic strife that to some degree forces them into prostitution. We seem to be only looking and talk too much, but hardly do we come in to their help as a humane society. Instead, we create a lot of authoritative and prison-like environments in our homesteads, churches and schools. The impact of being ostracized and taken as refugees away from home, causes an enormous psychological torture, since the youth are ‘orphaned’ for being cut off from their support of their families and society.
The cry of the joyous, this is from the youth who long for a balance between their spiritual and physical selves. The need to express their religious sentiments, is not given a conducive atmosphere. The youth with diverse charismatic gifts in communities are seen as a threat and rivals, instead of being guided properly to nurture them. The balance between ritual, doctrine and experience is wanting in the Church. They cry and are suppressed by those who possess the power.
The cry of the prejudiced, as a result of stereotype behaviours from the elders, superiors, and seniors of our society towards the youth. The youth are told, “your turn has not yet come”, a superior or an elder operates on the “ Listen and Follow” principle, “I command and do not ask”! These are among the factors, that block an integral and fulfilling dialogue between the young and old, superior and inferior. Certain decisions are taken without a thorough consultation with the youth, since the general tendency is that the young do not have any thing of value to offer. If so, their time has not yet come!
A holistic formation of our youth is needed, their basic needs should be met and then, we can extend love as a higher value to them, to yield a stable future. This noble responsibility is for all of us; teachers, parents, church ministers and the government agents.
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