A youth speaks to parents

THE EDITOR: I am an 18-year-old youth living in the real Trinidad. I feel the pressures of everyday life and the worst of these is parental negligence. First of all, I express my gratitude to the government for the OJT programme because it gave me my first job when I was only 17 and the experience was good. In our society, people blame the government for everything bad that happens; well at least they introduced some programmes to temporarily relieve us from stress, but what about those private companies that refuse to hire young individuals when they post vacancies? Can they not provide job opportunities, even temporary ones? This situation is only worsened when many youths are not supported by their parents; neither by money nor advice. So parents, I must admit, you all are a big disappointment to the youths. If you all can support your youths with their education and job search, then I can guarantee you all that there will be less young criminals in this society. It is your ignorant, selfish and careless attitude towards your children and youths that breed that anger, hatred and violent spirit in them.

Children are often bad-talked for ill-treating and disrespecting their parents but how many times do I hear parents being disciplined for ill-treating their offsprings? Can you all, parents, tell me why this imbalance exists. Is it because you all are trying to escape the blame? Are you all not mature enough to accept the responsibility for your children’s failure? Yes, I understand that the parenting job is a tough one, so therefore it requires strong ambitious and mature individuals to take the role of raising kids. If you do not have what it takes to be a good parent, well, I am suggesting that you shouldn’t be one. I am under the impression that the elders in this society are not confessing their wrong. We, as young people, are often scolded for our wrong. But our elders have not set the right example for us. It is sad to say, but many young people who feel oppressed turn to drugs, crime and sex for comfort. They are silently crying out for love and attention — so please give us some. I do not want the next generation to be victims of parental negligence. My generation, like many others before, certainly got the sour taste.

AVANELLE MARTIN
Port-of-Spain