Family Life Education Series
Youth Problem or Problem Youth

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The talk given by Dr Howard Cheng on "How to Handle the Emotion and Behavior of our Youth Children" at a Family Life Education Day Camp on October 26 met with an overwhelming response from the audience.

The function was so successful that Dr Cheng will repeat his talk at the coming Family Life Education Day Camp jointly organised by HKI Region and HKI Regional Welfare Office on November 9. Officers serving in HKI Region & PHQs formations may call 2804-1574 for enquiries.

With years of experience in youth work and apart from being the Associate Professor of Applied Social Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Dr Cheng is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service. His article has inspired us to perceive the "youth problem or problem youth" in another perspective. Following is the translation of the article.

A newspaper headline dated October 15 read: "Five teenage suspects arrested....." It was a story about five teenagers being caught after breaking into a primary school in Tai Kok Tsui. The police arrested five suspects, four boys and one girl. The girl was only 13 years old and the boys were 14 and 15. According to police records, a similar crime happened in September, when six teenagers, aged 15 to 18, were arrested in school uniforms for breaking into a secondary school in Hung Hum. The cases have raised tremendous public concern and attention to the suspects' declining ages.

As police officers and law enforcement agents, we are also concerned about the seriousness of youth crime. More youngsters are committing crime and their motives are beyond sheer mischief and curiosity. We have "Youth Problems" all along and how are our "Problem Youths" different from the past?

You know already that adolescence and youth is a "stormy" stage with intense stressors coming from the environment. Teenagers are immersed in energy and curiosity. To them only "sky is the limit". They tend to challenge the existing societal and familial systems with lack of sensitivity concerning the consequences for their behaviours and actions.

"Problem Youths" carry characteristics differentiating them from other youths. These youths tend to display weaknesses when faced with stress, hardship and crisis. They fail to conceptualise and handle the situation. They also tend to withdraw and run away from their problems. In the long run, tension will bottle-up in them with results of anxiety and anger. Self-harm and addictive behaviours are indications of intense negative feelings getting out of hand. These youths need professional help and assistance for rehabilitation.

We should bear in mind that most adolescents and youths are just reacting to the pain of growing-up. However, the "Problem Youth" may have a tougher time than others. For the former group, given more empathy, privacy and time, they will get back on track; for the latter group, law-enforcement may be necessary.

Teenagers perceive that they are living in an "adult-made" world. They may see us, the adults, imposing our values on them. What do you think?