In my almost three years as a teacher, I often hear my older colleagues say, "Lahi na jud ang mga batan-on ron." True enough, when I log in to my Facebook account, I see the evidence of their accusations. Seeing my students in some of their escapades as teenagers makes me shake my head in disappointment.
Teenagers tend to be more active and seek out as much fun as they can experience. That's already a given. However, the definition of fun and experience has drastically changed with each generation. Back in the days, having relationships while you're still in elementary and high school is a taboo. Going out late at night is a No-No, except if you're with your siblings and cousins. Drinking (of course, alcoholic) and smoking are considered deviant and out of the norm. However, in the present, views on these activities have changed.
Teenagers tend to be more active and seek out as much fun as they can experience. That's already a given. However, the definition of fun and experience has drastically changed with each generation. Back in the days, having relationships while you're still in elementary and high school is a taboo. Going out late at night is a No-No, except if you're with your siblings and cousins. Drinking (of course, alcoholic) and smoking are considered deviant and out of the norm. However, in the present, views on these activities have changed.
Relationship with the opposite gender in teenagers in the present are just normal. Having more than one relationship experience at age 16 is not a rare occurrence. It's totally the opposite way back then, when having a relationship during teenage years is kept a secret to almost everyone, especially to the parents. Today, they are more showy to the public and you can even keep track of the progress just by logging in to Facebook. They post random selfies with their BFs or GFs, what they did on their first monthsary (and they won't forget to remind their social media friends of the succeeding monthsaries), their fights and misunderstandings, and if they already broke off and have a new partner. Worst of all, they act too extravagant with their partners on special occasions when in fact, they still depend on their parents for their finances. In general, in terms of relationships, they are reckless and impulsive. They act on temporary feelings and do not think twice or thrice of the consequences of their actions. They let their emotions rule over their rational thinking.
It's also quite alarming that these days, most teenagers, even those below the legal age of 18 are already aware of having night life. They have the guts to go to street parties and disco clubs, partying to their heart's content. I will bet that they know more disco bars than I do. I really feel horrified seeing in my Facebook wall students that have pictures on some of the famous clubs here in Cebu (some of them I haven't been to) during weekends. At their raw and tender age, they are already knowledgeable of parties and discos while ignoring their studies. Pathetic.
Moreover, experiencing parties at discos and clubs lead them to embrace that it's also normal to drink and smoke. It's really gut-wrenching seeing students holding cigarette sticks and puffing smoke out of them. It's kind of unnerving when they hold a bottle of Red Horse Mucho like a pro (more pro than I am, in fact). Seeing all of these during these times makes me wonder if these are the children that we say are the people of tomorrow. If they can do these things at their age, how much more in the future?
Why did our youth became like this? Who is to blame? Parents? Environment? The media? I say, we can't put the blame on one factor only. It's always a mix. For one, proper guidance starts at home. Without proper guidance, teenagers seek information elsewhere, and often the media, in all forms,are their main source for that, and in there lies the problem. Misinterpretation of information and without the family members' intervention lead them to think that what they are doing are just okay.
We can still change the culture of our youth today. We should strengthen family connections. Since everything starts at home, the family can be an avenue for discussions and source of advice. This will also educate the teens that not everything they see and hear through the media are good. Also, teachers as second parents can furthermore influence the youth and direct them to good behavior.
It's not really too late for our youth. We, as the older generation, can still intervene. It's not a losing battle yet.
It's also quite alarming that these days, most teenagers, even those below the legal age of 18 are already aware of having night life. They have the guts to go to street parties and disco clubs, partying to their heart's content. I will bet that they know more disco bars than I do. I really feel horrified seeing in my Facebook wall students that have pictures on some of the famous clubs here in Cebu (some of them I haven't been to) during weekends. At their raw and tender age, they are already knowledgeable of parties and discos while ignoring their studies. Pathetic.
Moreover, experiencing parties at discos and clubs lead them to embrace that it's also normal to drink and smoke. It's really gut-wrenching seeing students holding cigarette sticks and puffing smoke out of them. It's kind of unnerving when they hold a bottle of Red Horse Mucho like a pro (more pro than I am, in fact). Seeing all of these during these times makes me wonder if these are the children that we say are the people of tomorrow. If they can do these things at their age, how much more in the future?
Why did our youth became like this? Who is to blame? Parents? Environment? The media? I say, we can't put the blame on one factor only. It's always a mix. For one, proper guidance starts at home. Without proper guidance, teenagers seek information elsewhere, and often the media, in all forms,are their main source for that, and in there lies the problem. Misinterpretation of information and without the family members' intervention lead them to think that what they are doing are just okay.
We can still change the culture of our youth today. We should strengthen family connections. Since everything starts at home, the family can be an avenue for discussions and source of advice. This will also educate the teens that not everything they see and hear through the media are good. Also, teachers as second parents can furthermore influence the youth and direct them to good behavior.
It's not really too late for our youth. We, as the older generation, can still intervene. It's not a losing battle yet.
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