Youth A Rebel-?

The transitional age between teenage and adult hood is one that may be defined both biologically-as a stage during which certain physiological changes occur –and socially and culturally – as a stage during which a youngster is faced with certain problems of adjustment, both to self and society at large.

Youth in fact begins, with the onset of puberty and after a number of years in which further experience and training is received, finally equip the individual for full citizenship in his own particular society and culture. Youth considered in this light, is pre-eminently, the phenomenon of modern industrial and social societies, for it is such complex societies that this further developmental phase assumes critical importance. Hence it is not surprising that modern industrial societies often define youth as a “problem” and pay so much attention and effort in trying to ensure its “healthy social adaptation”. The fact that this process often seems to fail as it is evidenced in such happenings as youth revolt, student unrest and various forms of delinquent and deviant behaviour is but a measure of the stupendous task that the growing up stage involves in various societies that lack common aims and values. A vast apparatus of educational medical and social work institutions exists to minimize the problems of the society, especially of the youth. And to make the growing up process, trouble free and socially rewarding. Societies cannot be indifferent to what happens to their youth during this crucial phase of their life.

Youth Problems
The main problems of youth today are the problem of physical adjustment and larger than life dreams. These sorts of particularized problems may crop up from various angles, such as physiological, psychological, socio- cultural and emotional adjustment. It is known to everyone that adjustment in these areas help a person to amicably adapt himself to the existing societies.


Now coming to terms with the society consists of being educated getting a good job with certain amount of financial securities, actively participating in the civic and political affairs and bringing up a family. Coming to terms with self involves attaining a valid sexual self image and the realization of individual talents, specially artistic and creative kind. But bringing oneself to terms with life as a whole is more of an experience and refers to the acquisition of a general moral code, a set of values and in some cases the acceptance and internalization of religious beliefs and attitudes.

It is here the calculations of the societies go wrong. The up-coming youth begins to question the norms laid down in the society and want to know why things should be, thus and not in a different way. The creative young mind begins to find no meaning or relevance in certain things that he find in a society and begins to raise his voice against it and that fetches him the name ‘rebel’. The youth of today are called by some as anti-social elements, drug addicts and problem creators.


If they have taken to such sort of things what are the reason for that? This is what every responsible citizen should ask himself. The answer is evident namely the feelings of suppression, frustration non acceptance by elders, lack of employment opportunities, poor and in-equal educational facilities. Irrelevant types of education, lack of personal counselling, personal and professional guidance fail to bring out the creative and constructive talents of the youth.

One should not forget the fact that the youth are also responsible for the various changes that the society is facing. Take for example the talents exposed in the Information technology world, Electronics and engineering sector, the media, the field of music, dance and other fine arts. The virtual world is literally in their hands. They are prepared to work any hard to achieve their goal. Now we are forced to reckon that angry young man become the centre of activity. He battles with a force which refuses to die. Though there are some who watch and wait, as there are more youth in the world today than before, they should have their roles clearly marked.

Participation: Progressive and constructive participation when incorporated the contribution made by the youth to the society will be remarkable. This should make all realize that the youth should be accepted and recognized as they are and their need to be integrated into the general stream of life. Provide also scope for the right exhibition of their talents and the result can be amazing.
Development: When the world is into developmental economy the society locally has to understand that it is the need of the hour. When smaller countries reach up to high levels of development what happens to this age old nation’s progress. Can we wait and blink?

There is the need to be developmental in all the spheres of life. To have this we need to eradicate some of the deep rooted maladies of the society like exploitations, fundamentalism, violence nepotism, bribery, religious intolerance, and the poor family value system.
Youth and Peace: Some think peace as the absence of war; others in terms of statesmen meeting and signing impressive documents in different parts of the world, for still others the symbol of peace making is the movements of weary diplomats and journalists from continent to contentment or from countries to countries talking and writing about peace. For many others it is the silence of the graveyard. In most areas the very cause for the non- existence of peace is due to the unrest among the youth. Peace is a cause and a task that the youth can undertake boldly and effectively. When the energies and good will of the youth are harnessed, and profusely infused with creative and constructive ideas, it positively can bring about peace in the nation and a good international understanding between countries.

If the youth of the world begin to feel that they are accepted and well integrated into the society, there will emerge a better international society or rather a “world society,” as envisaged by late Dr. S. Radhakrishnan our Philosopher Statesman, with more peace and harmony. The youth of the world should have tangible and effective forums to air their opinions and their aspirations which can be listened to and addressed.

The youth of India have been an angry lot for a long time and have reached a stage of cynicism disillusionment and pessimism. This has led some of them to becoming antisocial elements and negative thinkers.

In a nation infested with corruption and inhuman values, it is the youth who become the worst victims. Many of them fall into the traps set by the political parties and cunning leaders and sub serve their interest. Some others who hopelessly look for jobs, which generally do not have any relation to their education, take to crimes and antisocial activities which according to some provide both thrill and profit. The path of the youth is beset with pit falls and snares. The so called progressive political parties do not believe in second line of leadership blending youth with experience ready to take over. The old at the top, the octogenarians and the septuagenarians, rule the roost under the exculpation that youth power is dangerous and susceptible to tricky influence in the absence of mature guiding hand .Youth are frustrated on their onward march as they have to be satisfied with the attitudes of the corrupt rich money bags, unscrupulous politicians and the nouveau rich. It is under such influence that the Indian youth is made grow. Is it not time that these young minds are provided with correct values of life as they are going to be the rulers and masters in a decade or two? The modern Human Resource planners, educators, thinkers and policy makers should take a serious note of the aspirations, needs and their participatory roles of the youth, taking in to consideration the potentials of the youth and direct them in a path of virtuous living with firm moral values by making definite provisions in the Constitution of India.

Most of the higher centers of learning are becoming highly autocratic and assertive to the extent of not showing any interest in the welfare of the students but on the other hand administer the institutions with coercive and oppressive measure to fill in their coffers rather than doing anything much to improve the general standard and quality of education or in providing good formation to the youth. Most of such centers are becoming family business. Good and professionally skilled, highly competent personalities should be chosen to head higher centers of learning and not just the members of the clan or family who have no idea of the trends in education and the needs of the nation and the international demands. May our youth get the best and become outstanding leaders and good trend setters of the World.

The Post Modern Youth

The Youth of today is an ever burning volcano
Ready to chant tunes so enchanting in soprano
Humming the deep wellsprings of their vibrant clan,
With perplexity yet well thought out detailed plan.

The modern aspirations in Internet vocabulary
Projects (s)he, with resolute matchless tapestry
Little of true self reveals (s)he, in life's mockery
But exposes skills when needed with no jugglery.

Moves (s)he around with new dreams so fantastic
Spirit enlivening creative imagination so bombastic
Which the elders perceive as crazy minds so elastic

A notion resisted vehemently by this tribe as sarcastic.

--joetom
9th Sept '09

Can the elders look up to this reality

with true morality coupled with a sense of equality?

Random reflection:

An Ideal Model Parent

This morning for as I was moving around, I noticed on the note book of a 12 year old girl, "I want a Dad like Ted Kennedy". Soon I picked up a conversation with the girl and asked her," What made her to have so much admiration for Ted Kennedy?"

Quick came the reply, " Did you not watch the CNN program on his life and hear what those dignitaries and his son's spoke about him'?
I asked her, 'What impressed her most'from Kennedy's life? She answered, "His love for the poor and the way he took care of the family and how he trained every member of his family in spite his various tasks. He even found time to reach the door steps of needy the suffering and made every one connected with him happy including his opponents and bitter enemies. Can there be any thing better? His wife Victoria Raclin Kennedy(Vicky) is such a graceful woman too. See how she conducted herself and faced the moments of sorrow with such feminine dignity. It is certain that she has attracted the attention of the masses by her orderly and gratuitous responses.

Out of curiosity, I asked her, "How do you find your father?"
She replied, "He is o.k., but no comparison with Ted uncle"." Ted Uncle is a gem among men".

This little talk made me think how the young ones today are looking out for good models. In reality, what they find is that not even their parents are good role models for them. To create deep impact on the youth of today the elders have to become ideal role models with definite values and a spirit of sacrifice coupled with hard work, failing which they may choose paths leading to sorrowful and at times to fateful ends?

Parents are you listening to such comments mad by the students? How are you seen by your Children?............... A good model?... An ideal parent? Have you anything to offer positively for your Children other that false prestige, Cheap conversation and mean exposure of your own self?

Now is the time, to wake up and act, with a definite agenda that will enable us to be good models, Positive and Proactive Thinkers spending "quality time" with children to make them feel that you are the person they need most.

-joetom

Think It Over

Things to Think Daily

Why not I be positive?

Can I be more organized?

What is my level of concentration?

Can I get into a new universe of thinking?

Why not develop an attitude of lateral thinking?

Can I remain a passive spectator all through my life?

Have you a constructive answer for the above questions today ?

You could have a sound answer provided you state in life: I can, I will, I must.

Can= a Probability, Will= the Determination, Must = Compulson to Achievement

Oh! you thinking young man

You need to reform yourself to perform well as an able Youth

"U" Precious Youth

Youth of this world "Be very Cautious for you are Precious "

It is a pleasure to work with vibrant Young Students and Youth. They have so much energy to do good, creative and graceful things. What they need now is the right opening at the right time.

They need not so much of your money but the Quality Time you spend with them. They want you be with them to love them and make them feel wanted and be their pillar and pillow to lean on all through.

They seek ideal role models in life and you can be one provided you know them and are willing to work with them with confidence and positivism in a constructive way. Awake my friends we need them for they are always ours they will make for us new, colourful positive history .

Let us move towards them with a new impetus to ensure that they do not run away from us. On the other hand they appreciate the Good that we leave behind. Stand not ahead of them or behind them but walk beside them to instill confidence and to allow creative and new things to happen.

Jose V Thomas MA, M Ed. PhD.
Educator & Counselor for Youth.