Zaccheus, M . (2007, December 16). Teens' Wild Nights Out... The Straits Times,
p. 40.
http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=12&year=2007&date=16&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2007_7695697
TEENS' WILD NIGHTS OUT
| Section: | Gen Y |
| By: | MELODY ZACCHEUS |
| Publication: | The Straits Times 16/12/2007 |
| Page: | 40 |
| No. of words: | 871 |
The purpose of this article is to highlight that even teens are partying and that at these parties, wild things happen. The article also gives different perspectives from different people.
For example, some students think that they are able to control themselves, whereas people like Youth Guidance Outreach Services’ Programme Director General Chiang Tat feel that teenagers are naturally rebellious and if they don’t have healthy relationships with parents, there is nothing stopping them from things like these happening, at parties especially.
It is very true what the article says of teens giving their parents the slip to enjoy themselves at these parties. I feel this is a major problem, because parents will not know what their teenage children are doing. Keeping information from their parents is wrong, practically speaking and is also unhealthy for the parent-teenage child relationship.
As a teenager, I have had my fair share of rebellion as well, though far from the extremity of this. This happens because the teenager doesn’t feel loved at home and so turn to these friends, for love to replace the love that family should give.
These parties may seem shocking to some, but to others, they feel it is normal. Some parents even allow it, telling the teenage child just 'not to go overboard'.
I give the benefit of doubt to the parents that they do not know what kind of parties their teenage child is attending. However, the teenagers themselves have full knowledge of what they are getting themselves into.
This is a social problem for the country, because these teenagers are going to take over the reins sooner or later. Who knows what kind of influence they will be on the next generation of teenagers, their children, and influencing the direction of this country, its economy and other things. How if the work force of tomorrow stays up until late, and is irresponsible, even to their parents.
I cannot imagine the consequences.
The root of the whole issue is communication, many of the ‘parent generation’ like to criticise today’s modern teenager as being overly social, too rebellious as to why they have turned out the way they are.
I beg to differ. Because what they fail to realise is that parents also have the responsibility to take the initiative to start communicating first to teenagers.
As a teenager, I feel that a parent should be able to bring themselves to the teenager’s level and speak to them, talk about school, talk about their friends.
Forcing a teenager to live the life you want them to live is not the right way to go. Teenagers react like this because they do not feel loved, and seek to feel loved, at the wrong places. Parents should be able to give them that love. This is a result of miscommunication between parents and teenage children.
I urge parents to take up this challenge, to love your teenager, to not despise them, because it’s not only their fault.
Word Count: 500 words
*Please note that the author apologises for any errors made in this piece of writing.
Other Relevant Articles:
Chew, A (2001, September 21). S'pore teens more likely to be hooked on porn instead of drugs. Is your teen addicted to these? An addiction that is worse than drugs? The New Paper, p. 12-13.http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?documentId=nica_NP_2001_2264788&year=2001&month=09&date=21
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