YOUTH AND GENDER NETWORK

Young persons are often deluded about life and its realities. They feel caged and hate the idea of being answerable to others. They long for freedom to live and behave as they please, not caring about possible consequences of their actions. Friend, so long as you are on this earth, there are certain principles you need to abide by, if you wish to embark on the journey through life successfully. One negative trait present in many youths is the spirit of rebellion. A rebel is one who resents and resists authority, or refuses to conform to the generally accepted modes of behaviour.

Young persons hate the fact that they have to be accountable to constituted authority. They resent their parents, despise their elders, hate their teachers, can't stand their boss, reject good counsel and resist worthy advise. Whilst it is true that some parents could be over bearing, some teachers brash and intolerant, some leaders vindictive and mean, and some human beings simply impossible, I believe that young persons owe it as a duty to themselves to submit to authority. Yes, you may consider yourself smart and brilliant; whilst others, including your parents, could appear ignorant and myopic in your reasoning. However, the fact that they are in authority over you, means you have one or two lessons to learn from them. You should realize also that they wouldn't be in authority over you forever. Someday, you'll be a man or woman on your own. Your parents will no longer 'order you around'. Your 'stingy' dad will no longer withhold resources from you because then, you will be a full time worker, move into your own house, and pay your own bills yourself. By the time you mature fully and start hussling for survival, you will realize just how easy it is to make it in life. The common irony is that when you get to that stage, you will probably realize that life is not a bed of roses, and that your parents and teachers had probably meant well for you. Well, at that point in time, it might be too late to make amends for relationships gone sour, for which you have a big blame because of your rebellious attitude. So why not relax a little now.

Begin to appreciate those in authority over you. Learn to respect their views and when your opinion is contrary to theirs, speak out. Express yourself in a polite and responsible manner. Don't insult others simply because you think you are smarter than them. Definitely, you may not always agree with other people's opinion, but the onus is on you to convince them about your own perspective. If, however, you are unable to win most arguments, just allow things be. Let those in authority over you be the winner at that particular point in time. The truth of the matter is that, nature and time have a way of sorting things out. Even when you are treated unfairly, you will eventually be justified.

Now don't ever be deceived by those who set fire in your bosom; who encourage you to be cantankerous and vindictive. Anyone who encourages you to fight your parents or to despise your mentors, does not wish you well. It may be that the person is ignorant about the laws of nature. Realize that your parents, whether biological or adopted, have the innate abilities to unleash blessings into your life. When you honour your father and your mother, it shall be well with you, and you will live long on this side of the planet.

"What if my mum is a witch, my dad a stinger, my boss an impostor, my lecturer a villain, what do I do?" Did I sense your mind wandering in that direction? Certainly! I do acknowledge that some people could be that terrible. I have heard of mothers who bewitch their children. There are also some unscrupulous fathers who abuse their own offspring. No doubt, there are leaders and teachers who harass and molest their students or subordinates. These are all exceptions to the rule, but there is no denying their existence in our society today.

I would want to suggest that so long as your life and integrity are not compromised or endangered by the wishes or expectations of those in authority over you, go ahead and respect them. For example, it is abominable, for a father to demand sex of his daughter, and any young lady finding herself as a victim of such evil, should resist and report such misdemeanour. So also, other forms of sexual harassment must be resisted and withstood. Basically, all I am saying is that you should be able to discern between rebellion and abuse. So cheer up. When you successfully deal with rebellion in your life, I am certain you will reap the rewards of good will and favour. God bless you real good. So long