Different attitudes on youth promiscuity<\/p>\n
By Harko Kasran<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Social observers Dr. Sarlito Wirawan and Ninuk
\nWidiyantoro recommended (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 1) that the
\nyouths be taught to use condoms.<\/p>\n
Such a view gives a very liberal and controversial impression
\nto religious people and those who still cherish good ethics and
\nmorals. It is only because people are not used to reading an
\nEnglish language newspaper that the opinions of these experts
\nhave not been strongly opposed.<\/p>\n
They stressed that it was time to teach youths to use condoms.
\nThis, in my opinion, can bring about a deterioration in our
\nnational sociocultural fiber. Twenty-five years of combating
\nundesirable adolescent behavior has shown me that not all youths
\nare happy being pushed around by the will and fantasy of
\nscientists.<\/p>\n
Youths in nearly all the provinces I have visited have been
\nwilling to understand and accept educational information which
\npertains to ethical and moral values providing the basis and the
\nreasons are clear. Scientists should not confuse the public by
\nimposing their own personal ideas on them.<\/p>\n
It has been stated that religious approaches are no longer
\nsufficient to prevent or solve the problem of sexual activity
\namong youths. This is too hasty a conclusion considering to what
\nextent we scientists have supported our religious leaders in
\nmeeting the development and modernization demands of the country.<\/p>\n
To suggest a religious approach be abandoned is very
\ndangerous. Even those who are less devout should be encouraged to
\nobtain religious guidance. Why should people be encouraged
\ndirectly or indirectly not to believe in religion?<\/p>\n
Sarlito's statement that \"religion is no longer their (youths)
\nlife's guidance\" is a very hasty and very dangerous conclusion.
\nSuch an outlook may cause ethnic, religious, racial and
\nintergroup problems. Our duty as scientists is to encourage faith
\nand devotion and not the opposite.<\/p>\n
\"Talking about religion with them is nonsense,\" is a statement
\nthat is a cause for concern. As scientists we ought to find the
\nbest possible solution, not the opposite. Viewed from a modern
\nconcept, the behavioral attitude of abandoning religion is
\nclearly inappropriate.<\/p>\n
The obstacles we have faced over the last 25 years have
\nincluded a lack of funding, facilities and the time and
\nopportunity given by the system, not religion. Religious people
\nexpect guidance from scientists.<\/p>\n
The facts show that religious approaches, which many have
\ndeclared inadequate in preventing youths being sexually active,
\nhas not been fully developed.<\/p>\n
Sarlito's statement that religious teaching could only be
\napplied to devout followers only encourages faulty
\nrationalizations. While a physician for 37 years, I came across
\ncases which were unsolvable from a rational aspect of medical
\nscience. As a scientist of psychiatry, I strongly feel that not
\nall undesirable adolescent behavior can be truly solved.<\/p>\n
\"Now there are many preteens who sleep with middle-aged
\nmen ... But girls who have engaged in premarital sex; we
\nabsolutely cannot approach them through religion.\" This statement
\nis as if the conclusion is an absolute truth justifying the
\nundesirable behavior. Prevention, both primary and secondary, and
\ntherapy and rehabilitation are known to work with youths who
\nengage in unwanted behavior.<\/p>\n
Scientists should not encourage people to give up. They should
\nfind solutions. Islam has syari'ah (law), hakekat (truth),
\ntharekat (spiritualism) and ma'rifat (knowledge of God). How much
\npsychiatrists support these religious components is not clear.<\/p>\n
I appeal to the community not to be thwarted by views that
\nmake us increasingly confused and desperate. Progress can be made
\nif our behavioral experts share a common perception when making
\nsuggestions to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) for the
\nbest possible solutions -- much the same as when a united
\nmonetary opinion is given to solve economic problems.<\/p>\n
Undesirable adolescent behavior needs to be tackled in a
\nconsistent, continuous, gradual and systematic way. An advisory
\nteam of behavioral and psychiatry experts, religious experts,
\nlaymen and teachers should be created to produce a common concept
\nto be submitted to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
We must also avoid the perception that only psychologists,
\npsychiatrists, religious experts, anthropologists and
\nsociologists can solve the problems of undesirable behavior,
\nincluding the problems of sex and AIDS.<\/p>\n
Role models and compelling education could influence our
\nyouths' behavior, attitudes and views. The MPR should be urged to
\ndevelop such a vehicle to create a good example for our youths,
\nthat is by using both general teachers and religious teachers.<\/p>\n
Our country has two million teachers -- a quarter of a million
\nfor elementary schools, while the remainder are equally divided
\nbetween junior and senior high schools. It is natural that
\nteachers are obeyed more readily than parents. They have the
\nauthority to be close to their students. We must cultivate them
\nto be examples -- to fail to do so would be a mistake. It is to
\nteachers, among others, that we should give our knowledge of
\npsychiatry.<\/p>\n
Interestingly enough, norms for legal and moral ethical values
\nfor youths, in the form of a written decision, has never been
\ndevised by any agency.<\/p>\n
Teachers should understand certain important components in
\ninfluencing proper behavior in youths. Conveying the importance
\nof proper etiquette and standards of physical appearance are as
\nimportant as effective and systematic psycho-linguistics.<\/p>\n
At present teachers are not fostered and formed into examples.
\nEven Law No. 2 of 1989 does not clearly indicate teachers as
\nexamples of behavior. There are only speeches asking teachers to
\nmake sacrifices to uphold the noble character of their
\nprofession.<\/p>\n
Many parents are not in a position to become proper examples
\nfor their children. Research has shown that 85 percent of parents
\nare not capable of fostering and supervising their children.
\nNearly all leave education and fostering of their children's
\nbehavioral attitude to teachers.<\/p>\n
On top of this, 68 percent of parents have indicated no firm
\nattitude toward undesirable adolescent behavior because they have
\nno well-defined criteria.<\/p>\n
My hope is that teachers can give the right guidance based on
\nacquired knowledge and not solely on our personal opinion.<\/p>\n
The writer is a retired army officer and a doctor specializing
\nin neurology and psychiatry. He has handled problems of youth
\ndelinquency on a national level for 25 years.<\/p>",
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