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Jan 15, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists
In recent years it has become increasingly difficult for boys to grow up in Guyana and not be involved in criminal activities. Almost every day, parents, especially mothers, are struggling to keep their sons away from crime, and more importantly, alive.
The challenges facing boys today are enormous and they range from drop-outs from high school to joblessness, and from involvement in serious crime to being totally marginalized in society.
Many of our communities have in some cases become virtual battlegrounds for criminals and vengeful gang warfare by mostly young men and boys. Some of them may have the best intentions of becoming decent citizens, but they are not having an easy time avoiding the seemingly lucrative attraction of the dark side. Many are poor and do not have father figures to guide them in the right direction.
The latter state of affairs has caused many to become hopeless and emotionless. They are seething with anger against a system which they believe is stifling them, and in which they see no future. Anger has become a major issue and if not dealt with urgently, will affect us all. Most parents do not know how to deal with their sons’ anger and frustration, and schools are not equipped to address them either.
While education is important, it does not deal with the emotional issues affecting most young boys.
In a country filled with bad-tempered young men, even the police have their work cut out to deal with what is fast becoming a ticking time bomb. The struggling and wayward youths do not trust the lawmen, who they believe are against them. They also believe that the police harass and target them unfairly for simple infractions like smoking marijuana rather than trying to solve major crimes.
To make matters worse, society does not offer much support to youths. Yes, there are some individuals and NGOs that provide some services, but society as a whole has not provided anything like role models.
The government is also at fault for not holding deadbeat fathers accountable for their children. It has not provided adequate social services to deal with the widespread dissatisfaction among them, so they can live up to their obligations and take responsibility for their actions. The government should reach out to them before it is too late.
Every year a number of boys with brilliant minds have either quit or were kicked out of school. They could have continued their education if the schools had done a better job of meeting their learning needs. Most schools do not deal with what most would deem peripheral matters like love, friendship, family, caring and commitment. Most schools’ curricula do not address issues such as anger, crime, bullying or responsibility.
In Guyana, the abuse and sexual exploitation of children and the impact of crime on boys are both chilling and troubling. Statistics have shown that children as young as four years old are being raped and 14-year-old boys are engaged in crime, gun violence, and are embedded in gangs.
This is not just a few juveniles looking for trouble, insidiously committing evil deeds; it is the grim reality of the serious problem boys in general have become in the country. Something must be done before it spirals out of control. Decisive action must be taken to save our boys before they devote themselves to crime or redeem those who are already involved in criminal acts. These are serious times for boys and society should not abandon them. They must be given the proper tools and education to become productive citizens. The question is: what is society prepared to do about it.
The government cannot be naïve to think that young boys are not in trouble, and it must take urgent action to save them before they become consumed by hard-core criminality. Many have lost their way. Many dreams are turning into nightmares.
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