Evolve or Die!

Earlier today, a radio program talked about the DSWD's new plan to alleviate the problem of youth pregnancy.

Upon hearing the report, the first thought that popped in my mind was the collective reactions of most adults to the above-mentioned issue.(As with my previous post, I am defending the kids on this issue as I am still a kid myself despite my 20th birthday fast approaching.)

Naturally, most adults would attribute this to the youth's "liberal, rebellious ways".

While this is true on most cases, it isn't the entire story. What the adults don't understand is that they are also partly to blame on whatever bad deeds kids today commit.

As they say, change is inevitable. Change. That's what the youth's culture has undergone. Gone are the days of the Maria Clara stereotype where women wear elbow-length sleeved blouses (or whatever you call them) and ankle-length skirts. Gone are the days where men serenade girls with the harana. This is the age of mini-skirts and sleeveless tank tops. Men today serenade women with a text message and a smile (or a wink or some other douchebag-ish way).

The point here is that whatever technique our grandparents used on our parents two, three decades ago to discipline the latter will most likely fail when used on today's youth. To be clear, the standards of morality should remain the same. Murder should always still be a crime. So should rape, theft, kidnapping, etc. "Minor" offenses such as lying, cheating, promiscuity and the like should still be considered "bad".

What should adapt with the changing times however, is the way we try to prevent and, for lack of better word, punish these offenses. Really, if bashing the heads of two kids together if they talk in class worked during the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, it will be ineffective today no matter how you defend this by claiming that they won't change their ways unless coerced. Kids today tend to become more rebellious when subjected to corporal punishment. That, or you could go to prison due to more active participation of human-rights watch groups.

Let's put it this way. If our forms of "punishment" should stay constant, then we might as well crucify every thief our policemen captures.

So I guess, I'm really in no position to tell adults exactly what changes they should do (as I am still a kid). But you get the gist. Change. Adapt. Evolve. Or die. I'm no psychologist or some sort of specialist when it comes to stuff like this but as far as I know, the most effective way to deal with whatever problem a potential delinquent has is to talk... talk... talk... talk. Communication is key.

No. Seriously.

Image source: http://www.redbookmag.com/cm/redbook/images/A4/Mom%20and%20Son%20Talking.jpg