Youth

The well being of a nation begins with the development of its younger generation. They are the ones that will assume the task of running and maintaining the well being of this nation in the future. Unfortunately the task of to lead these youths in the right direction is no easy task. Numerous articles and studies have confirmed that our youth problems is a rising issue and should receive extra attention. Youth problems range from poor school achievement to youth pregnancy, crime, and drug addictions.

Many experts have noted that one of the major causes that contribute to youth having problems is the lack of strong family value and substantial home-life. Youth belonging to this category are normally ones that have single parents or weak or uncaring parents. The above perspective along with some other variables, such as income level, media influence, and educational level, should explain why the youth problem phenomenon occurs. One of the fundamental ways to view why youth develop problems is to view their family structure.

Many youth do not have what is considered to be a healthy or complete family. For example, if a youth is raised by a single parent, he or she may lack many of the family essentials, such family warmth, love sharing, or normal family life. The youth may also develop shame feelings among his or her peers. Another scenario might be a youth raised by weak and uncaring parents. The youth might not receive the adequate attention and guidance necessary for their thoughts, actions, and perhaps wrongdoing. In this case the youth may develop two types of feelings.

They will either feel abandon because of the parents uncaring nature, or, the youth might feel exceptional freedom because the parents simply is weak or do not care. In both cases, youths having such family structures develops much higher percentage to differentiate themselves from their common peers. The second variable that seems to have a large influence as to why youth develop problems is the income level in which they reside. Income level is one of the issues that can t be changed so easily. Government aid and subsidies could only do so much in the aid of poverty stricken neighborhoods.

Generally a great percentage of youth growing up in such a poor neighborhoods have a higher chance in exposing themselves to the numerous problems, such as, pregnancy, drugs, crimes. It is unfortunate, but no doubt that environment in which these youth grew up in are surrounded by such factors. Government funding and local group activist have trying to cure these blighted neighborhoods. Local activity centers, and youth organizations, and schools are fighting there ways into these area in hope to help give youth of these communities a better chance to succeed.

Another variable that should be considered in why youth develop problems is media influences. Like Debra J. Saunders noted in her December 1999 editorial, youth are constantly being expose to the electronic media set out to influence youth to follow certain trends and mode of thinking. This is very true in this cyberspace, electronic media era. The Internet, television, and other media unconsciously place many messages in the minds of the youths. The youth are spending more of their time attracted to these media than they are in their necessary duties.

The power or the media is so great that many of the youths mode of thinking are drawn to the character lifestyles of movies idols. The media have directly manipulated what is reality and what is fantasy in the mind of the youths. Therefore youths often try to be somebody or do something they saw from these electronic media exposures. Perhaps that the numerous in school shootings by teenage youths across the nation are the indirect results from too much media exposures toward youths.

The final area that seems to contributes to youth problems are the educational level in which the youths are associated with. Educational levels vary greatly in schools that youths attend. The educational achievement accomplished by students determines if new educational programs are needed to aid underachieving students build there necessary skills to advance. Because the lack of such programs in some school, many youths in this category, find it difficult to continue their educational course.

Therefore the rate of youth problems is the dependent variable of the drop out rate. Many students choose to alternative course of action if they cannot succeed in school. Their minimum knowledge is insufficient to land them much hope in making it the real world. Consequently problems are prone to along the route for these youths. We have briefly looked into the issue on contributing factors in youth problems. The variables we discussed are family structures, income level, media influences, and educational levels.

It is important to acknowledge how these links intertwine in the life of a developing youth. Though we cannot simply generalize that a youth will develop problems once they have encounters with any or all of these variables for there are numerous successful examples for us to refer upon. But numerous studies have shown that the risk for youth to develop problems such as teen pregnancy, crime, drugs, and violence is at a higher rate when they are being raised in an environment that contains the variable we have discussed today.

On December 21, 1970, the Supreme Court of the United States made a decision that would drastically affect the lives of many yong adults/ By a vote of five to four, the Court declared that eighteen year olds could vote in National Elections provided they meet the normal requirements of citizenship, residency, and registration issued by their homes states (Mitchell 1). This was a great step for youths in both political and nonpolitical aspects in the way that it shows responsibility and awareness in our society.

Since the majority of those affected by this policy are either in school or full time members of the woking field, they will likely recieve a lower income, therefore feeling the impact of the rising cost of living and education. Public policies have a great impact on the eitheen to twenty year old voters. For example, economic policies affecting their basic life chances and policies regarding their lifestyle and personal liberties. By its policies, government can grant or deny substantial benefits to young workers and students. Likewise, it can impose heavy burdens and controls such as budget cuts. These cuts could cause state legislators to reduce spending on education and increase tuition and/or fees. That could cause great controversy among youth who depend on government funds to better their education, possibly setting back their efforts.

Since the erly 1900’s, youth have shown leadership by expressing their ideas and opinions with strong and persuasive actions, many of which contribute to their awareness and impact on society today. For example, if our government can trust our youth to be mature and capable of enlisting in the military at the age of eighteen, then they are mature enough to vote as to who the commander in chief will be. If one is considered capable of scarificing thier life for the lives of America by handling both the mental and physical burdens brought by war, then one should be capable of deciding their own factors of life.

There are also many downsides to a fresh group of voters. For example, manyt youths may not choose or qualify to vote. Since some of the youth come from lower classs, they will most likely be unable to pass the qualifications in reading or other catagories because of the lack of basic education. If a youth comes from a family of wealth, odds are their family will greatly influence their choice in elections on if they vote democratic or republic (Mitchell 3).

As citizens of the United States, the constituiton allows us the right to vote when we are eighteen. To depel of this right, legislatures would have to pass a bill in the house of representatives and have that bill ratified in the senate to repeal the ammendment. This would have profound effects on the population, especially among the sector of the population who falls in the age caegories of 18 and 20. This would cause major riots and extreme outbreaks that would be non-beneficial to the government.

However, to fail to vote in the interest of protecting their rights and benefits, or to change it by incluuding other benefits, des not seem wise. The ability to vote is a great advantage if used correctly. If one qualifies for the ability to vote it is to their advantage to voice their opinions in order that they might make a chang.

The ability to vote opens doors for many changes and profressions. By including a more divers representation of people, we will have a better and stronger government. Including views from the yound and old to the rich and poor, we will b able to better understand the people of America. For a government to run properly, it should represent all of its people and not just a select group. By allowing our youth th be capable of the responsiblity to votem we are slowly taking a step forward to this unity amongst our government.

In an effort to get Americans involved with the political process, we should make every effort to educate Americans in the ways of politics. Since yout is, of all age groups, the most flesible and able to learn, 18 is the perfect age to begin the molding of a new, political mind. With the ability to vote, we can voice our opinions on taxes and wages along with other things sicj as entertainment and clothign, all which may effect our lives on a daily basis. With the ability to speak out in a sophisticated, mature matter, with a vote, one’s chances of being heard is greater.

Despite nationwide gun-free school laws that prohibit possession of a firearm on or near the property of a public or private school, students are bringing guns to school and using them against their fellow students and teachers with increasing frequency. What possesses these students to gun down their classmates? How are these students getting access to firearms? Who is ultimately responsible for these tragedies? What stresses contribute to these shootings? And how are parents and educators missing the warning signs that these children have reached the breaking point?

Over the past few years, there have been an astronomical number of school shootings across the country, sending policy makers, parents, teachers, and other concerned citizens into a tailspin. These events are becoming more frequent and have shattered the sense of safety that children should have when they are in school. Shootings by students, some as young as 10, have occurred at sickeningly regular intervals in urban towns like Pearl, Mississippi, Jonesboro, Arkansas, Fayetteville, Tennessee and most recently Littleton, Colorado, where 12 students and 1 teacher lost their lives at the hand of two teen shooters who took their own lives.

Firearm violence falls second only to automobile-related deaths, as the leading cause of injury-related death, in the United States. By the year 2003, firearm fatalities are projected to become the United States leading cause of injury-related death, unless the violence is curbed. In 1991, Texas and Louisiana saw firearm fatalities surpass automobile fatalities, and Virginia and Nevada also have continued this trend. In fact, the firearm death rate is increasing faster than any other cause of death except AIDS related fatalities.

Recent public attention has focused on the problem of gun violence in the nation”s schools. A 1994 Gallup poll of Americans, for the first time, fighting, violence, and gangs have moved to the top of the list to tie with lack of discipline as the biggest problem facing schools. It is difficult to determine what effect the threat of violence has upon the learning of each student, but clearly education takes a back seat to one”s own sense of security and well being. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, one in 20 high school students carry a gun and one in five students would tell a teacher if he or she knew of another student carrying weapons to school.

Theories differ about where young people get their guns. School security experts and law enforcement officials estimate that 80% of the firearms students bring to school come from home, while students estimate that 40% of their peers who bring guns to school buy them on the street. The United States has weaker firearm regulations and higher numbers of deaths involving firearms than all other industrialized nations.

The greatest tragedy of gun violence is the tremendous numbers of children and youth killed or injured each year by firearms. These numbers continue to increase at alarming rates. According to Gunfree.Org, in 1985, the number of firearm homicides for youth 19 years and younger was 1,339, in 1995, it was 2, 574. In 1995, guns accounted for 84% of homicides of persons 13 to 19 years of age. Averages of 14 youth each day are killed by gunshots.

A group studying juvenile violence in Multhomah County, Oregon identified the inadequate response of the juvenile justice system to students expelled for possessing weapons in schools, the need for additional efforts to detect weapons, and anti-violence education in schools as primary concerns. We must, as a society, recognize that there is a cycle of violence and that violence breeds more violence. There is no single answer to the problem of violence. A multi-faceted approach is needed. Prevention must be a priority. According to a ‘Public Health” Approach, recognition of three levels of prevention activities is essential:

Primary prevention: These are interventions directed at people who have no obvious risk factors for development of violence. An example would be teaching grade school children to deal constructively with anger and conflict.

Secondary prevention: These activities are directed to those who show clear-cut risk factors for violence. An example would be training in anger management for people who have a history of arguments or fighting.

Tertiary prevention: These activities are directed toward minimizing the danger caused by those who have displayed violent behavior. Examples include interventions to allow gang-established patterns of serious or repeated violence.

Any approach to violence must include education carried out in various ways and settings including collaboration among community groups, businesses, the schools, and government. Most of all, the parents must get involved.

Schools offer the opportunity to reach a substantial percentage of the youth population and teach them skills aimed at the reduction of violence. Teachers are able to identify early on problem youth and families. Schools represent an important site to convey the message of society against weapons and violence. An important part of the anti-violence prevention strategy aimed at all youth is increasing the efforts to detect weapons in schools.

While schools are already vigilant about responding to individuals when specific knowledge is available about weapons possession, this approach has not addressed concerns and perceptions that a number of weapons are present in schools undetected. Expanding the commitment to zero tolerance for weapons in schools would also better communicate to youth community standards, assuming that adequate consequences are in place. Most weapons are found through reporting by a concerned student. Such reporting should be praised.

Watching movies always considered as a relaxing thing because movie can satisfied us with all different needs. However, because of the technological development, people can download all the movie from plentiful websites easily with laptops or even a cellophane. And due to the advancement of accessing, there is no specific range of age to watch those movies. Many movies such as godfather, triple x, the wolf of the wall streets both with the theme of patriotism, crime and action always got chased by youths.

I leveled here specific types of negative impact to make a better explanation. First of all is violence. Speaking of violence movie, guns and blood always present. If we think back some news of school shootings and many homicides committed by youths, there is so much violence involved at this early age. Other examples such as bullying, substance abuse happens a lot as well. The spreading of media and movie is one of the most important reasons. Teenagers just imitate the shooting behaviors from movies but knowing nothing about consequence, because movies hardly mention that.

Second one is drug abuse. As young kids started to grow up with desires, it is easy to get curious about the things that they don’t know. Statistics done by Cambium’s(the Nation Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University) show that, 86 percent of US high school students know someone who drinks, smokes or does drugs. Around 50 percent know classmate who sells drugs. Media portrayal of drugs can lead the teenagers to know the drugs from negative sights and show the audience how it feels exaggeratedly. The last one is adultery and premature sex.

It is more often that having nudity and sex scenes has become an attraction point or selling point. Younger generation become premature sex conscious and imitate the scenes of movies in real life. Without correct sex protection, more and more problems occur such as teenagers parents and so on. The impact of premature sex caused diseased society both mentally and physically. Most movies do have harmful impact on the youths. But the most important thing is to know the truth and reality in life.

This poem tries to stop young men from volunteering to go and fight in a war, and to let them see that war is not as what is was often imagined to be – glorious and sweet. “Anthem for Doomed Youth” is also an anti-war poem, but it does not include the horrific imagery Of Dulcet et Decorum Est. In this poem, Owen explains that many young people die in war, and that the family also suffers from their relatives death. This poem discourages the families from sending their boys to war.

It is aimed at the parents, and through the poem, the parents can realize the pain of losing a son. Both anti- AR poems want to explain to people although aimed at different groups that war is not glorious and sweet, as it was believed to be. In this, the poems are very similar, but the methods used to achieve this differs greatly. “Dulcet et Decorum Est” gives a personal experience of a soldier, probably Owen himself, in battle. The first stanza explains just how tired and exhausting you can be after war-The atmosphere is depressive.

Owen uses words and phrases like “hags”, “sludge” and “drunk with fatigue”. The entire mood is depressive and exhausting, and makes the reader feel the draining effect of AR. In the second stanza, the mood changes drastically from being exhausted to energetic. This is what Owen describes to be “an ecstasy of fumbling”, which is an oxymoron, as ecstasy in usually associated with joy, and fumbling with awkwardness. It seems that a chlorine-gas bomb exploded near the soldiers, and panicle, they hastily put on their gas masks.

All but one manage to put the masks on in time. That man suffers grumblingly, as he is described to be burnt by the gas “like a man in fire or which is a substance that can eat flesh. “As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. ” The Rene sea would be because of the effects of the chlorine gas – which is green, and the mask visor. The drowning effects would be because of the blood in his lungs, and the gurgling for air while he was dying. This is a good simile, because Owen compares the surrounding gas to a sea, in which he is safe, but the unprotected man is drowning.

The stanza ends with the line “He plunges at me, guttering chocking, drowning’. It is a very gruesome end to a very horrid stanza. This onomatopoeia in line sixteen makes the death sound very real, gruesome and sickening. The atmosphere Of this stanza is horrifying ND sickening. In the third stanza, the atmosphere changes again. The gas is gone, and they are loading up the dead and dying. The bodies are, however, not loaded onto the truck with respect; instead they are “flung’ in. This dehumidifies the dead, and it just shows that there is no time to honor the dead.

They are treated like garbage. Then the half dead man from the gas- attack is brought up again. He is in his final death stages. It is just as horrid as the second stanza. “the blood. .. Gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs… ” This is another onomatopoeia, and it is easy to imagine the final death scene. The sat part of the poem gives this statement after the grueling scene: “My friend, you would not tell with such high zest to children ardent for some desperate glory, the old lie: Dulcet et Decorum Est Pro Patria Moor. In this, Owen explains, that if you could in some dream follow that horrific scene, and experience what the soldiers experienced, then nobody would enthusiastically tell desperate young men, about to go to war, seeking glory, that it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country, as was often quoted by commanders. “Anthem for Doomed Youth” is in the form of a Shakespearian sonnet, which is normally associated with love. This is very ironic, as this poem has very little to do with love – it has to do with death.

The word “Anthem” is mostly associated with pride and glory, but in the title, it symbolizes the guarantee and promise of dead young men. The first line asks a rhetorical question: “what passing bells for these who die like cattle? “, followed by “only the monstrous anger of the guns”. This means, that there are no church bells for those who are slaughtered like animals, there are only the loud and deadly guns on the battlefields. Immediately, this will strike especially parents, who will not want their children to die, especially if there is tot even glory or honor in the death.

No ceremony is held to honor the brave and dead there is only “angry’ gunfire. Then there is the wonderful phrase “stuttering rifle’s rapid rattle”. This is both an alliteration and an onomatopoeia. One can almost hear the deadly machine gun fire, ungracefully slaughtering thousands Of boys. Owen continues giving his description of the lack of glory for the young men, by saying “the shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells”. This is also a paradox, as choirs are usually associated with a church and happiness, but here it is the ‘song’ of shrill, howling shells.

CHALLENGES OF YOUTHS IN A MODERN WORLD The Longman Modern English Dictionary defines youth as “the state or quality of being young, the period from childhood to maturity; young people of both sexes”. A youth is characterized by features such as youngness, restlessness, strength, independence, curiosity; search fro greatness, vigor good, health etc. Pope John Paul II during his visit to Nigeria in 1982, addressed the youths in these words “Youth is the age of hope, of promise, of enthusiasm, of plans and of ideas.

Youth does not want to give up in the face of difficulties… Youth believes in a better world and is determined to do something to help bring it about”. ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD The youth has great strength, vigour, good health etc. These features should be channeled towards the propagation of the gospel. Let the children come to me, do not hinder them, for such belongs the kingdom of God (Lk. 18:16). In the church, the youths have the responsibility of evangelizing. It is their duty to witness Christ to their peers and to the remotest areas where Christ has not been preached.

Anthony Aja, quoting the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II wrote: “The Church needs your energies, your enthusiasm; your youthful ideas in order to make the Gospel of life penetrate the fabric of the society”. “Besides, the Pope re-emphasized the part that youth can play in the call to evangelize the world as he addressed them in these words. “Dear young people, with the spirit of generous self giving recognize that you are directly involved in the new evangelization, proclaim Christ who died for all”. Where are our Youths today? Out there in search of worldly pleasure or working for the Lord. (Ref. to the past).

To be good evangelizer, witnessing must be accompanied by good example, being like Christ in all ramification. The bible recorded many dynamic youths worthy of emulation. Two of such youths will be considered in this text. They are Joseph and David. Joseph had an encounter with God. He reverenced God. The fear of God was in his heart. Portipher’s household prospered because of the presence of Joseph. How about you? He hated sin. He successfully resisted the temptation from his master’s wife. To the sin-laden wife of his master Portipha, he asked, “how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God”? (Gen. 39:9).

To escape the wrath that might befall him as a result of this great sin, he ran and fled from this great evil, sin of fornication. Godless youth would take advantage of this immoral opportunity and yield to the temptation. It takes a heart that has been washed by the Blood of The Lamb, a youth who has experienced the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, a sanctified person and Holy Ghost filled to overcome such temptation. For the bible says “for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world”.

Titus 2:11-12. David the son of Jesse, the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse, rose and worked marvels for god right from his youth. He killed a lion, a bear and conquered the veteran warrior Goliath. He overcame the evil spirits that tormented Saul by his anointed fingers on the musical instruments. He was able to do all these exploits for God because of his personal knowledge of God and the power of the Holy Ghost that was upon him. Through the youngest of Jesse’ sons, his fear of the lord and his close relationship with God, made him to do the chosen one of God. ”Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and the spirit of the Lord came mighty upon David from that day forward (1Samuel 16:13). Above all learn from Jesus Christ, who from childhood went about doing the father’ business, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other citizens also, for I was sent for this purpose? Make yourself available for noble use. Challenges Facing the Youth Today The general state of youth reveals spirituals, social and psychological crises and confusion.

They are being affected by the effects and influence of the society, peer groups, parental neglect and the evil one. Many of our youths blindly follow the dictates of the secularization of Western culture. The effects of secularism on most people have even made them argue that churches should accepts the society’s new directions. To them, if the society accept the society’s new directions. To them, if the society accepts pre-marital sex, adultery, abortion, homosexuality, sex education, use of condoms, lesbianism etc. hey cannot see why the church has to keep calling them sins. The youth sees the youth state as a period of fun and freedom. However, they forget to recognize that this stage is important and transitory – a stage . Mistakes youth make at his stage in life could be detrimental bearing with it a lifetime consequences. For example, Youths who take to armed robbery, prostitution, drug trafficking, political thruggery, and all manner of violent practices carry over such nefarious activities from their youthful stage into adulthood.

At adulthood they become a problem to themselves, the society and invariably their children who may take after them. What a wasted life! In fact, they are unable to build a worthwhile foundation on which to rest their future. Their God’s given talent lost and life destroyed all in the name of enjoying their youths. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he admonished Timothy in these words: Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue Righteous, faith, love and peace, Along with those who call on the Lord Out of a pure heart” 2Tim:22 The youthful stage when properly managed can lead to disaster.

All youths should heed to Paul’s admonition to timothy. Flee from all evil desires and run after righteous. Many of our youths are compromising with worldly ideals. Compromise with the world brings corruption. It destroys the child of God’s testimony and makes his light grow dim. Learn from David and Joseph, the way to upright living. The youth is being influenced and challenged today in the following areas: 1. INFLUENCE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY Modern technology had led to the invention of personal computer, the satellite, Digital television, the internet, mobile phone (GSM).

These devices had in no small measure made the world a global village. However, the challenges facing our youths (Christian youth) is how to use them without abusing them. The truth is that these devices rather then being used for the advancement of knowledge which is capable of making the world a better place have become powerful tools in the hands of Satan for the perversion of morals. For example, the computer has both simplified and speeded up the operation in many fields of human endeavor – data storage, medicine, architecture, music and broadcasting industry.

These are interactive computer software for learning of virtually any subject. The mobile telephone has made communication easy. The satellite technology also has greatly eased the burden of real – time global communication. The internet is a great source of information, Books; encyclopedias on any subject, theses, revise, online news, libraries are now available on the internet. Various school activities which were manually carried out in the past, such as purchasing of admission forms, payment of school fees, access to course outlines, result etc are now done online.

Sources of information and different educational operations are now available on the internet. However, one must not lose sight of the evil associated with these devices (internet, GSM and computer). Many (including children, youth and even older people) are introduced to do world of deceit, indecency, immorality crime, sexual perversions, violence and many other vices through the use of these inventions of modern technology. The computer and the internet have more damaging influence on the youth. Youths spend long hours watching digital videos (DVD) or playing violent, even bloody and demonic computer games.

Some youths spend hours or the whole night browsing forbidden site on the internet thereby getting exposed to inappropriate materials, such as pornographic and erotica because some youth get initiated into Satanism, Spiritism and other esoteric region. The TV and internet have taking over the place of the bible and prayers in a good number of homes. Youth treasure their wide exploration of the internet in place of reading their books and other intellectual activities. This a leading to a dramatic decline in the academic performance of the youth and a high rate of unproductively of the youth in all spheres of life.

Wise parents should rise up to this challenge, and set up corrective measures to arrest this trend of self – destruction of the youth. 2. THE FILM INDUSTRY Many youths spend long hours watching the television denying themselves of meaningful activities that will promote heathy living and advancement in life. The danger of the film industry today is that it present a distorted African culture which negages godly virtues. For example, pre-marital sex is against God an abominable thing in African culture, but the film industry today presents it as the norm and what must follow or be part of a relationship.

Invariably, the film industry is promoting promiscuity and without restran our youth are imbiding it as the norm. Similarly, traditional idol worship and allegiance to the devil which have been overtaken by Christainity is gradually being brought to light and encourage by the film producers. What about movies dominated with violent operations?. This negates God peaceful co-existence among men. Parents must therefore rise up to control what their children watch on the television. 3. NEGLECING OF HARD WORK Many youths want to go the easy way of life. No work but wants to be rich.

They wish for success in life without paying the price of diligence. You need to see the coutless number of youths at the cyber cafe, browsing the internet looking for innocent preys to devour of thir hard earn money. Some Pentecostal pastors are not left out in the craze for prosperity through miracle galore at the expense of diligent labour. 4. SEARCH FOR GREENER PASTURE Many youths run the risk of searching for illegal means to go out of this country for better life. Experiences of those who attempted leaving this country reveal the agony many had to go though traveling through waste land to cross over to their “promised land”.

In the process many had lost their lives and their sense of value of life. Those who made it to their dreamed land are out their doing menial jobs and worst still are out into crimes of various degrees. 5. Domestic Problems Many youth are confronted with Domestic problems ranging from hostility from parents, strife between their fathers and mothers, parents inability to provide the basic necessities of life. Youths from such homes run away from home, get involved in all forms of crimes such as 419, armed robbery, thuggery, prostitution or hired assassions.

Parents should wake up to their responsibilities and make sustainable plans for their children. 6. INDECENT DRESSING AMONG YOUTHS We have been wonderfully made by God. Praise the Lord! Let us trace our dressing to the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they realized that they are naked. They sewed fig leaves together to make themselves aprons (Gen3:7). This covered only a part of their bodies. This is fact was not proper clothing and so the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them. This implies that the lord God covered their nakedness.

Therefore, any clothing that does not cover the body fully is an indecent cloth. Let us also consider the demoniac in St. Luke’s gospel Chapter 8 ;26-35). The demon possessed man was naked. The bible described him as “a man from the city who had demon; for a long time he had worn no clothes, and lived not in a house but among tombs’. With encounter with Christ Jesus, he was delivered from the legion of evil spirit, he was clothed and he was in his right mind” (Luke 8:35). This implies that only people who are not in their right mind would go about without clothes not big enough to cover their nakedness.

The modern day christains especially youths are without estrain imbiding and embracing worldly principles, values, culture and customs without making refence to the word of God. The bible says: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is inworld, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the father, but is of the world”. I John2:15. Unholy attitudes or worldliness has become the culture of the church. Some church members tell you what you wear does not matte, after all religion is in the heart.

However, they forget that there is a link between the state of man’s heart and the outward appearance. In fact, one’s outlook is greatly influenced by the condition of the heart. It is not uncommon today to find different kinds of immodest and indecent dressed worn by the majority of young people and some older people in the society, even in the church of God. These ladies wear transparent and body hugged clothes under the guise of fashion and civilization. In fact, you see girls of cheap and easy virtue wearing provocative or seductive apparels that partially expose sensitive reas of their bodies such as breast, navels, abdomen and thighs, such youth are not left out in their heavy make-ups. Their make-ups are so excessive and outrageous that the girls are not less than masquerades and cannot but be mistaken for prostitutes. Why would a Christain woman or lady imitate Jezbel? “When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head and looked out of the window” 2King9:30. Some ladies dress in such way that they stimulate lustful desires in men. The harlot dresses shamefully only to advertise, comete and seduce the opposite sex.

They wear revealing clothes which create in men some immoral desires. Mini-skirts are symbolic of those ladies who want to seduce men. Every mini-skirt is a fuel that sets the mind of a man to imagine the most debased thoughts. On the other hand, ladies who are seductively dressed are more likely to be harassed by men. In the actual sense, a lady who is immodestly dressed is simply adverstising herself, telling the male folk that she is available. No wonder, today that the rate at which women are raped is exceedingly alarming. The men folk are not left out of this craze for fashion.

They fry their hair (jerry curls or perm0, weave their hair, wear earring, leave their shirits unbuttoned, exposing their beareded chest, have funny styles of hair cut, apply make up just to prove themselves as “senior guys”. 7. Sexual Immorality/ Fornication Many youths do not see sextual immorality/formation as sin. They see it as a way of expressing their love to a person of the opposite sex. In popular advert which says “if you love me prove it by making love to me” Fornication is the sexual relationship between unmarried persons.

God condemns fornication; Do you not know that your body is a temple of he Holy spirit, who is in you whom you have received from god? You are not your own, you were received with a price. Therefore, honour god with your body (1cor 6:19-20) Anyone who destroy the temple of the Holy spirit which you are will face wrath of God. The bible says “you are God’s temple, anyone who defiles that temple, God will destroy”. Some youth who engage in fornication (pre-marital sex) tell you they are in search of happiness, pre-marital sex has brought shame, disgrace and to many, unfulfilled destiny and untimely death.

According to Ibid: Pre-marital sex has many adverse effects surrounding it. By so doing expose themselves to many risks such as: pregnancy, abortion, death, death, veneral disease, fear, shame, disrespect, sterility, uncompleted career are grievous sins against God, your creator. These are what we risk ourselves for, Just a mere pleasure which does not last. Similarly, punch Newspaper had on one of its publication pointed out that ”Pregnancy is just one of the ways one can reap on unpleasant harvest from fornication… It is better to avoid pre-marital sex”. 8. Wild Ambition Youths, no doubt are very ambitious.

Being ambitious itself should be commended. But when the ambition becomes obnoxious, wrong signals are elayed. It is not uncommon today to find youhs engage in all manner of nefarious activities that are opposed to Christain virtues in a bid to acquire great wealth, fame and success. They are usually recruited as political thugs, fake drug peddlers, armed robbers, hostage takers, murderers, assassins while others become cultists, prostitutes and so on. Some become involved in dubious and undefiled business. The bible tells us to flee from all appearance of evil. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any paise, think on these thing (1 Cor10:31. Phil 4:8) Do not get involved in any activity that is contrary to the tenents of God. Anything contrary leads to hellfire. 9. Peer Group Influence Many Youth have been led astray by those they regard as friends. The influences of peers can bring about a positive or a negative change in one’s life. But today, such influences have been found to destroy the lives of those who keep had company.

Thomas Martin as reported by Stan Ilo had this to say “What can be more dangerous to youth than bad company; what more fatal to all moral rectitude and feeling than influence of bad example. Bad company ruins good moral. It will be highly recommended youths can be involved in authentic friendship. John Chidi once classified friendship into 3: 1. Friendship based on unity 2. Friendship based on Sexual pleasure 3. Good griendship Youth should be encouraged to get involved in good friendship I =n which a man and a woman can be close friends without any sexual intercourse whatsoever. 0 Foul Language, noisy Music, Obscene Dance, pornography Music is an ancient means with which God’s people adored, exalted His Holy name and praised his majesty. This is still God’s expectation from us today. However, Christain music of today has assumed a new dimension from what obtains in the bible. Most Christain music today are emotional, sensual and noisy. The musical instrument sound than the wordings as obtained in worldly music. Such songs do not give any inspiration, and it lacks modesty and moderation. So also is the obscene dance that accompanies the music.

Flee from such music and from every apprearance of evil. 11. UNEMPLOYMENT There is a high rate of employment in this country. Many youths who had managed to go through thick and thin to obtain a university degree or other degrees are out there on the streets roaming about in search of anything to do for living. His has been the concern of both youths and their parents. Many parents have lost inetrest in investing into education of their children. This has increased the number of youths without any formal education or vovational training.

One sees them in high dense areas/cities milling around motor parks, marj=ket places, in hide outs, practically doing nothing meaningful. Their daily existence depend on how much they can steal, extort from people or just waste away. Some engage in menial jobs that can hardly take care of them, while others become preys in the hand of evil men who take advantage of them by providing debase jpbs such as drug trafficking, prostitution. The self employed are faced with problems of generating power for tjose whose jobs require electricity. The question is, for how long then can we watch the leaders of tomorrow waste away.

We all must rise up to this challenge and fight corruption, injustice that have premeated into the whims and caprices of this nation. 12. Marriage Many youths today are faced with the problem of getting a wife or a husband. This could be attributed to a number of factors such as parental influence or control, self, sin and the devil. Youths becomes so obsessed with their inability to be married that they now abadom God. To every man there is a wife and to every woman there is a man. Therefore wait on the Lord, and He will provide. THE WAY FORWARD

In handling the problem of our youth and the difficulties confronting them in this perverse generation, parents, churches, society and the youth themselves have specific roles they must perform to bring sanity to our world. Let us reflet on the role of the youth themselves. The youth who desires life and the fruits of happy life must desire God and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Seek first the kingdom of God and all its righteous and all other things will be added unto you (Matt. 6:33). To the youth who had turn away from the Lord, I say “come back with a repentant heart and the Lord will receive and have you back as his own.

Repentance involves: a) Admitting your weakness, being sorry for your weakness b) Renouncing your weakness The Lord tell us in Issaiah, “come now let us reason together, says the Lord through your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall become loke wool” (Is. 1:18) Go for sacramental reconciliation. Having regained your relationship with God, He wants you to live a spotless life even in this era of godlessness. You are to stay unpolluted and unperturbed in the constantly changing world where you dwell.

The unchanging God will substain you, for he has said. :For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). This implies that God’s children have no excuse to allow themselves to be swayed by the rapidly changing world around them. What is expected of the youth therefore according to the word of God is outlined as follows: 1. The youth must treasure the unaltered word of God in his heart, life and mouth, civilization or no civilization. 2. He must constantly and diligently with prayer guard his soul so that he is not overtaken bythe whirlwind of globalization and modernization. . Must be resolved to live a holy life. This involves daring to be different with a resolution not to look back. 4. Depend on the grace of God. Paul tells the Ephesians, “for it is by Grace you have been saved through Faith and this is not from your selves, it is a gift of God (Eph 2:8) In the sane vein, Jesus tells us in Jn15:16 not to rely on our own strength but yo abide on the Vine 5. Invite the Holy spirit, the sanctifying power of God into your life. It is the spirit that gives life. In all thid fullness, live in the spirit.

So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires swhich is contrary to the spirit and the spirit which is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that do not do what you want” (Gal5:16-17) 6. Associate with thos who love and fear God. Meditate on the passage “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

What agreement is there between the temple of God and Idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk amongthem, and I will be their God, and they will be my people” 7. Plunge into unlimited opportunities: The Lord urges us to plunge ourselves into unlimited opportunities that he has set us. Like Joshua, He was to be strong, courageous and to observe the word of God. Joshua did as God commanded and he prospered. Today God is saying to us that he has given us great opportunities to succeed in life and have all our needs met.

However, many go through life dejected, defeated, defrauded, dominated and at the end doomed. you are a child of God. For success to come your way, start now. Do not be idle. You can still go back to school and get education; you can re-write your papers and improve on them. Are you unemployed, apply to place no matter how little, or you can create a job yourself. You need not suffer, the sky is the limit. Finally, do not stay away from sacraments (Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation). Heaven is real. What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffer the loss of soul.

Lack of Knowledge about STDS among youth Becoming sexually active at a young age tends to increase a person’s number of overall partners and as a result, her or his risk of STDS. Biologically, young girls are more susceptible to infection. Although the system cannot control teens or preteen’s actions, but they can help them understand the risks of sexual activity and that’s 0K to wait to have sex.

A research done by Katherine Harmon on Jan 2013 shows 321,000 cases of gonorrhea only are reported each year in the U. S. Another research shows approximately 60 percent of new HIV infections in united states occurs among oung people under age 25 and most of these infections are transmitted sexually. By all the efforts and new programs that government is trying to put into educational system, when we see these reports and numbers we all agree in one matter: these are not enough.

And I believe if government instead of mostly concentrating on medical treatments pays more attention to youth health education and STDS prevention training classes, life of hundreds of people can be saved every day. The reason I chose this topic is because I’m originally Middle Eastern or in another world from a third world country. Four years ago, when I was living in my country, there was not much attention to STDS among the people and there was never any program in our society or schools to educate families and youth about STDS.

Since I was always curios, I was doing research from different sources about them to be able to improve my personal knowledge about them and hopefully be able to help some people. When I came to United States, I was expecting the majority of people are well educated about these kinds of matters but unfortunately when I read different researches about increasing number of STDS infections among the youth, it Just hange my whole expectation from educational system of one of the most advanced countries.

By all that being said, I hope to see a day that nobody in any country would be infected of STDS due to lack of information and knowledge. Resources: nature. com (the name of article is “common STD grows resistant to treatment in North America. Mayoclinic. com (the name of article is “sexually transmitted diseases. Hawaii. edu (effective HIV/STD and teen pregnancy prevention programs for young women of color ) Spreading Awareness about STD among Youth By arashghahremani