Guyana’s most important resource is its human capital and people. This country simply cannot progress without sustained focus on lifting the standard of living of its people through increased socio-economic investments in projects which will have positive effects on their livelihoods and ability to create and store wealth for their families over the next decade or more. This means that Government must devise a national strategy to respond to those social ills which threaten the life expectancy, overall health, productivity, happiness and safety of its people.
It must work assiduously with key stakeholders at home, within the region, and further afield to ensure that a new culture is created wherein young people are encouraged to develop creative industries and newer forms of technology that would see them actively involved in the overall developmental thrust of the economy. They must be convinced that in order for them to lead satisfying and long lives in the future, they must work now to create the world that they want to live in through the establishment of goals, standards, and innovative ideas that would be useful and applicable to the changing times ahead.
In short, young people must also be indoctrinated in the art of philosophy and the science of ethics and acceptable conduct so that they can easily appreciate the notions of equity, social justice and fairness. They must be properly schooled by their superiors — who are leaders in our society today, including their parents, teachers and community elders — to stand against all forms of non-discrimination, racism and gender victimization.
Sadly, enough emphasis is not been placed on aforementioned approaches to improving the quality of life of Guyanese and young people in general. As of late, there has been a stark increase in the levels of youth crime in our society, and from all indication this is likely to continue until our society unites to solve the problem.
Too often, teenage offenders are written off at a young age, regardless of hard circumstances or minor offences. In spite of success in developing opportunities for young people over the past 51 years, we hope more focus would be placed on preventing youth crime, as it can have the potential to affect our country’s trajectory.
Even in the Guyana of old, when it was acknowledged that a stronger support system fostered respect for self and others at school, in the home and at church, there were a few who strayed into deviant behaviours. With a changing social network, a weakened family structure, and the addictive lure of social media, is it any wonder that we see more youths today being led down the wrong path?
Exposure to violence and sexual deviance poses a huge threat to young people’s lives and moral make-up. It is widely acknowledged that the tree should be bent from young. If poor training is not arrested in its tracks at a tender age, it can spiral out of control and result in serious crimes that affect the whole country. And we, as a society, can no longer afford to turn a blind eye, harping on the fact that “something must be done”, but not willing to do the work, help mentor a young person, or press the political class to enact crucial policies to change the tide.
An IDB study released in May this year offers a sober assessment on violence in the Caribbean. Surveying the metropolitan capitals of five countries – Barbados, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Suriname – the study revealed that violent crime rates were higher than the global average; indeed, higher than in any other region. The study recommended an “improved monitoring of police and justice systems,” and “interventions targeted at high-risk individuals and geographic areas”.
This is where we all come in. It is well known that children are like sponges; they soak up and repeat the actions of their environs. Over the years, studies have shown that when mentors are actively engaged in a child’s life, one can see a reduction, but not complete elimination, of delinquent behaviours, less drug and alcohol usage, and improved academic performances by children.
With more mentoring and positive, wholesome interactions in Guyana between young peers and adults, we are certain that the tide can be turned in favour of having less violent, deviant, at-risk youths.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The more we can instill positive behaviours and thinking into our youths, the greater results we will have in producing not only functional, law-abiding citizens, but tapping into the skills and talents they have to further our country’s growth.
