Dear Christine,
Please permit me space in your column to address the young people in our society.
I hope my letter does not offend as I know that many times we criticise our youth, when they are only the product of their homes, schools, the church and society as a whole.
Children live what they learn and although we think this is only in relation to what they learn at home, we know that they also learn from their peers, teachers, the church and from what they see happening within their various environments.
Week after week I read about young people seeking jobs through Dear Christine. I realise many of them are young parents – sometimes with two and three children; I see that some are looking for places to live, and generally, seeking to better themselves.
Christine, I want to tell those young people that the door to a good life usually starts with a proper education. I believe that many of our young people play the fool and waste valuable time at school, rather than concentrate on their education.
Many become concerned about developing sexual relationships at a time when they should be taking time to learn and develop their skills.
I want to tell them there is a time for everything under the sun and the time will come for such relationships and courtships.
At school, that’s the time to learn as much as they can; that’s the time to prepare for the world of work; that’s the time to determine what they want their future to be like.
To parents, I want to urge you to encourage your children. Don’t put them down and abuse them verbally, emotionally and physically. It is your responsibility to help prepare them for the future; to nurture and train them in the way that they should go.
You should see to it that they attend church and Sunday School and seek the Creator while in their youth.
Christine, my heart hurts daily for many of our young people, who are just statistics, with no ambition or drive.
Young people, I plead with you to put God first and get a good education! Seek to learn as much as you can so that your offspring will not have to suffer in life.
To those who are holding their heads high and seeking to do the right thing, I commend you and pray that God will give you the strength to continue on this road.
Christine, I hope I’ve gotten my message across.
– Concerned
Dear Concerned,
There is nothing I can add to your letter, other than to tell the youth in our country to take heed to what has been written. Thanks for seeking to give them a sense of direction.
– CHRISTINE
