The Editor, Sir:

It never ends. Now it is about the youth. The recent report on the front page of The Gleaner - Sex in schools - is yet another cause for serious concern. Imagine students having sex openly on the school compound to the extent that it is being photographed. This is unbelievable!

Some time ago there was another report in the newspapers about students having sex in heavily tinted buses plying their routes.

A group of us adults, while expressing alarm at the news item, asked a teenager who was among us about his attitude towards the matter. His casual response was "a long time dat a gwaan". Then, there are continuous stories about violence in schools where even teachers are being attacked by students (even female students), and parents are assaulting teachers.

The youth behavioural problem is another matter that must be dealt with as a priority as they are the potential leaders of the next generation. It might, however, be inappropriate to cast the blame entirely on the youth for their behavioural modes because in most instances they are re-enacting what they observe in adult behaviour. They are not born with these traits but are in most instances emulating what the adults in their environment display.

Take, for example, the response of some adults regarding conditions in their communities to which they object. Their response is to block the roads and express themselves in most raucous ways, many times with children participating. These activities are sometimes aired on the electronic media. In essence, therefore, this is how the youth are being taught to react to unacceptable situations - with violence.

Then there is the continuous violence in these communities, with weapons of all sorts being used to resolve differences. Parental guidance in most instances is less than desirable as young mothers with nominal resources are responsible for rearing children who must end up with serious deficiencies.

Poor role models

Lewd lyrics from the music industry is another decaying factor. Proper role models in these communities are difficult to identify. Men abdicate their responsibilities in the homes; schools; the church; community organisation etc. and are, thus, poor role models.

So what can we expect from these tender minds who as the saying goes 'practice what they see' and who are unable to mould their own minds without proper guidance, training and acceptable behavioural patterns.

They need to be prepared as managers of the the next generation. Jamaica needs a general overhaul. Who will bell the cat?

I am, etc.,

ALPHONSO F. JACQUES J.P.

Padmore, St Andrew