The editorial of April 24th 2006 in one of the daily newspapers on the island, The Daily Herald, commenting on the alarm sounded by the director of Victorious Living Foundation about some angry youths, is one that needs the attention of all of us. The editorial ("An honest living") correctly pointed out that the issue of "angry youths" is a complex one with many aspects involved.
One aspect which in my opinion is cardinal, but yet as a community and a region, we conveniently neglect to discuss and act upon to correct, is the so-called "cultural" nature of our relationships, resulting in many disrupted and displaced families, confused and angry youths.
When lyrics like "Shame and Scandal in the Family" are practically accepted as reflecting our "Caribbean culture", the question then is, if we are individually and collectively really willing and prepared to deal with this aspect of the problem which is at the foundation of our Caribbean societies.
The process of searching for oneself, starting during puberty, is complex and difficult. The challenges faced by youths to make adjustments within a complex world and find an identity which has continuity and consistency are being even more complicated by this accepted "Culture of Shame and Scandal in the Family". How can we guide our children, expect to earn their respect, or offer them some sort of stability in live when we support and build our homes on open and secret lies: "That girl is your sister, but your mama don't know:..., or "Your father is not your father, but your father don't know".
The expressions of anger, rebellion, low self-esteem, and apparent moral indifference among our youths are greatly aggravated by the conflict within of not being able to clearly refer to ones roots. What behavior do we expect for example from a child, who can only briefly speak with his father when he sneaks in at night -and makes his way to the mother's bedroom-, but cannot even wave at the man he calls his father, when he sees this same man driving during the day in his car with his wife and other children?
My call for a boycott of married and engaged men in March last was not just a phrase to enhance International Women's Day. It was a conscious call for serious reflection of the practices prevalent and silently endorsed by our societies.
While in the past the ways to express anger and frustration were limited, today's youths are exposed to other means to deal with conflict and frustrations. Increased crime among the youth and other social ills such as youthful parenthood (not just teenage pregnancy anymore), are every day concerns. Though these problems are universal, the solutions to reverse these ills in our society are sought in all directions, except within ourselves. And the problems keep growing!
Are we prepared to take a closer look at our so-called "culture"?
Unless we are willing and prepared to radically deal with our sexual and relationship behavior as adults, seeking solutions to the increased societal problems we face will be like carrying buckets of water to the sea. We need to stop dealing with the symptoms, but tackle the cause!
