Are we REALLY bad-behaved?

Just a little while ago the conduct of the youth has been under heavy criticism. It was even said that the youth of today are ‘bad behaved’ and he also added that it’s at a point now that it’s a matter of national security. The question I want to ask is, is it really that bad? Is it that all of us are bad? No, I can confidently say that’s not the case, but they are those few that may choose the wrong path and then influence their peers to follow.

However, the question we must all ask is, where does this all start? I don’t believe people are born ‘bad behaved’. They have to be taught how to behave; like anything else, a child will learn by example. That said, if a child isn’t shown right from wrong or taught how to make positive decisions, can all the blame be on us? If we can get away with ‘foolishness’ and ‘slackness’ at home, wouldn’t we then feel it is okay to do it anywhere?

So what happens then when we go to school? Do we then behave ourselves? No, we behave the same way, the only way we know how to behave. A child that was never taught about respect will not know how to respect themselves and then in turn, respect those in authority and their peers. I asked many students what type of bad behaviour occur at their schools and the general response was; rudeness to teachers, abusive language and fighting. Sounds to me like a lack of respect.

Now here’s the thing, these things obviously aren’t right but what I learned from asking the students is that these things don’t occur frequently and they are habitually done by a few. All the kids aren’t bad. So to say it’s a matter of national security is taking it a little too far. It’s true that the matter must be dealt with but staying back and pointing fingers and saying all the youth are bad isn’t going to solve the problem.

Whitney Houston once said in a song, “the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way”. That is what needs to be done. We can only learn if we are taught. Show us and guide us and we should be fine but everyone must play their part.

We (the youth) can’t afford to continue along this path anyhow, because what we do now will affect our future. Remember, it is our future.

The few of us that are on the wrong path now only need a hand from the rest of us because as far as some of them know, what they are doing is right. So for those of you that know better, don’t just sit back and allow your peers to continue along the wrong path. For you to stand by and watch; doing nothing is encouraging it and it isn’t solving the problem.

For all of you guys, listen to what Michael Jackson once said. “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change”.