Friendship in gangs
When I was still a teenager, I would often whined at my best friends for not wearing the cheap ten-peso bracelet I bought for them. It was a symbol of our friendship, they were supposed to wear it. They would make random excuses like losing the bracelet, or forgetting it at home. That would upset me all the more. It was only then when my bracelet's charm faded that I realized there is more to life than using symbols.
Today the symbols are like cigarette burn on the skin. The process of acquiring one is difficult. I'm imagining long talks with a so-called leader, a couple of tasks to fulfill then finally, the honorary burning of the skin with the cigarette. It doesn't sound as friendly as it is supposed to be. The child at the end gets the acceptance that he/she has been longing for, making them literally the "cool kids" in town. They tag themselves as gangs.
And then what? Does it guarantee them a good life in the long haul? I guess not. It may even affect their state as they grow up. They would want to loiter in the streets, be with these so-called friends, and do what makes them happy -play, and roam around. But the worst that we could imagine is do drugs. The local government has been particular already in keeping children away from the streets as the evening falls to pitch dark, as it is not healthy for them to be awake at this hour. But apart from what the government is doing, the family should always intervene.
A responsible parent rears a child within her foresight and makes sure that there is no monkey business with what he/she is doing. Time is devoted to the child to make sure he feels safe and secure, thus lessening the chance of them finding that feeling in another group. They should be focused on their studies and hobbies that will make them a holistic person. All these will shape the direction of their future and what they will become after years in school.
I know that being a parent is no joke, let alone raising many children in a home. Yet, the ultimate responsibility of making sure that children are brought up to be good citizens lies solely on the parents. The immediate family and environment come in second. All of us have a good role to play in shaping the next generation. We can always make friends without being commanded or hurt, some of these friendships last for a lifetime too. They are supposed to be friends, your buddies, and to reflect who you are so you can become better.
Bearing responsibility for the acts of the young today, we should all put in mind the one which is best for the next generation. After all, they will be the ones who will be leading the country in the future.
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