These days we talk constantly of the threats facing our youth. The truth is, however, that we are searching for a way that will allow us to contribute to the search for a better future and to compensate for our failure to show others we are capable of helping them build that better future.
We — and by “we” I mean my generation — must admit we have failed to provide our children with the kind of education to enable them to face effectively and efficiently the complexities of their world. We failed to equip them for the kind of jobs that would guarantee them a decent living and spare them from many of the dangers that youth everywhere are exposed to.
Our main concern in the past was to take upon ourselves supreme authority so that we could confine youth to a small corner where they would find themselves unable to move unless we granted them permission. Because we failed to play fairly and professionally as required of any strong team, we found ourselves on the defense, repelling attacks and unable to score.
We keep talking about the threats hanging over our youth while we assume the role of guardians and protectors after having failed to play the role of future builders properly. Despite our repeated failures, we still insist on teaching our youth how to defend themselves against the dangers of an unknown future. Relaxing on comfortable chairs and sofas, we regularly pontificate on how the young waste their time watching a torrent of trivialities on satellite television.
We tend to ignore two basic points. First, satellite channels provide them with a golden opportunity to express themselves and acquire a wider and more comprehensive knowledge of the world — something which was not available to our generation. Second, we must blame ourselves for allowing youth to occupy themselves with small and insignificant issues because we have not provided them with more serious and meaningful alternatives. Even when talking about threats, we do so in an authoritarian way that indicates our fear of the amount of freedom our youth enjoy. It is a freedom that until now we have been unable to exercise.
For our relationship with youth to be normal, useful and reciprocally valuable, we should see to it that they use their freedom to ensure themselves a better future. Trying to deny them that freedom will only complicate matters.
Arab News From the Local Press<> 10 March 2003
