When you walk into a bar in Kisumu, rarely will you miss the naive face of a teenager drowning themselves en route moral derailment.
Talk of disco 'matanga', house parties, jam sessions and many more; the kids are all over. Probably, they are not to blame bearing in mind that we live in a society that everything is laid bare for all to try.
It is common to meet a child on drugs on the streets of Kisumu. Dating nowadays has become a game for the young. Walk along Kenyatta ground in Kisumu, they are all over.
The era of caning children is no more; young people have been given more independence. Their rights are enshrined in the Kenyan constitution and the United Nations is not to be left out either.
The big question is how do we deal with the rotten behavior and the increasing immorality among the children now that caning is no more?
Parents and teachers should ensure guidance and counselling for the children. This is the only remaining tool that can help salvage the decaying society.
To guide and counsel your child does not require professionalism from any adult even though I do understand there are people who have spent years in class and have vast knowledge on the same. Every parent is responsible for the good upbringing of his/her children and the teachers cannot be left out either; remember teachers spend more time with the children. At least ten hours on a weekday.
I also believe all teachers have attended psychological counselling classes during their training. Such training gives them a better understanding of the children which can help them mould the young learners easily.
They, therefore, have a role of providing psychological counselling to the children. They can also enhance core values such as integrity, respect, empathy and peaceful coexistence among the young people.
Together, parents and teachers can guide children on matters related to education and career.
Young people have fallen victim to peer pressure hence indulging in unprotected sex, drugs and at times early marriage just because at some point a senior person did not give them direction or motivation.
In college, many young people by design or accident, study courses that they are not comfortable with. Some end up committing suicide due to frustrations while others seek refuge in drugs and alcohol. Such frustrations can be solved through proper guiding and counselling.
Teachers and parents should also find time to sit together and discuss the progress of their children academically and socially. Through sharing of ideas, they can generate good behavioral attitude among the children, which can help in their development.
I believe strong pillars for psychological support can benefit the children.
Young people just like adults, endure hardships in academics, socially and at home. The hardship is at times the reason for their indulgence in alcohol in search of comfort.
Talking to them and encouraging them can be the best way to understand their problems.