Youth in a hurried world

Few days from now, classes for the next school year will commence. Parents have started rushing to the stores for their children's school supplies. Bookstores are swarmed with parents and children who would frantically complete all items before the start of classes.

For some parents, it would be another annual regimen to buy new items: new pair of shoes, new uniforms, new bags, and everything. But without knowing that there are still items that can be reused or recycled. We just have to be creative and budget-conscious as we train our children to make use of items that are still useful so without necessarily have them replaced.

In our world where we are very much cognizant of what others have and what they don't have - riding on the bandwagon is the usual occurrence. Parents need to provide them the necessary wisdom in which they lack. At their tender age, they need to value prudence and practicality.

The social media has created a world of envious individuals. It has created people who are desirous of what others have or have been blessed of. They find ways, no matter how impractical just to fulfill what they want. And if they can't have them, they would end up disappointed and frustrated.

We need to realize that there are things in life that we just have to accept because we have no control over them. But with resiliency we manage to bear life's challenges. Blessed are those who are fortunate in certain areas. But for sure they also lack in other dimensions and extent. They may have the material provisions in life but lack the warmth and comfort of their families. Or they may not have the luxuries in the world but have the sense of belongingness and love of the family and friends, after all, these are priceless yet the most precious. Because what is the use of living in a mansion when there is no love and compassion than living in a nipa hut where every single moment means heaven?  

Past surveys on our youth's level of satisfaction indicate that parent orientation is a better predictor of life satisfaction than peer orientation. Adolescents who are high on parent orientation are more satisfied with every domain of life. They are also more satisfied with life in general. This goes to show a clear link between the parents' influence over our young people. Such positive influence is necessary especially when involving values formation and major life-changing decisions. 

Another significant finding is that younger adolescents also tend to perceive a higher level of satisfaction than the older adolescents in every domain of life as well as life in general. This is so as they grow older, their attachment to certain group has changed. They spend a considerable amount of time with their peers than with their family members. And so this is a point of realization that even though they grow old, spending more quality time with them must not be overlooked.

With great optimism, our youth would still heed on the positive influences of the family as they are very sensitive to how parents and children make personal sacrifices for each other. Though some of them get together with friends less often, and yet they are satisfied with these relationships. Given the consistent and sustained valuable interactions taking place in homes, our youth would be raised to become responsible citizens. 

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