'Urbanization causes delinquency'<\/p>\n
The bus hijacking by high school students using sharp weapons
\nin Jakarta en route to a brawl with other students last week
\nreflects the acute problem of youth delinquency. The incident was
\nfurther aggravated by the awkward handling of the case by the
\npolice. Education expert J. Drost shares his view on the issue.<\/p>\n
Question: How do you see the problem?<\/p>\n
Answer: The basic cause of such a phenomenon, as I've been
\nsaying for years, is urbanization. So many rural people come to
\nJakarta. Most have no adequate educational background so it's
\ndifficult for them to get proper jobs. As a result, slum-crowded
\nareas in the center of the city become the most suitable place
\nfor them to live.<\/p>\n
In their kampongs, mutual relationships are part of their
\ndaily life. Neighborhood is very important. Everyone realizes
\nthat no one can, for example, cultivate farms without the help of
\nothers. Maintaining a good relationship with neighbors,
\ntherefore, is a must.<\/p>\n
The situation poor urban migrant families face in Jakarta is
\nin fact quite different from the one they have in their kampong.
\nThe daily tension caused by financial shortage means most of them
\nare too busy to socialize. The struggle for life is dominant.
\nFamilies are busy competing with one another to earn money. There
\nis no room left for mutual relationships.<\/p>\n
Q: How is this relevant?<\/p>\n
A: Children of such a family, from their early childhood, have
\nalready learned how to act to protect themselves from any outside
\nharm. They are always haunted by the feeling of being threatened
\nby others. That's why a single stare between two students
\nsometimes can stir a fight between two schools. Fights between
\nschools or groups of students, therefore, can easily break out.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you mean there is a sense of solidarity among those
\nstudents?<\/p>\n
A: Yes, but solidarity is not the trigger. The real cause of
\nthe situation is the feeling of insecurity among students
\nstemming from a lack of finances. They worry over whether there
\nis enough money to pay school fees, buy books, or even to enjoy
\ndaily meals.<\/p>\n
The phenomenon later spread to schools in middle-class areas
\nthough it has not reached religious and top-rated high schools.
\nThe Cawang technical high school where the 72 students who
\nhijacked the bus are studying, for example, is not a school for
\ngrassroot students.<\/p>\n
Q: What has caused these problems?<\/p>\n
A: The government's failure in handling basic problems
\nresulting from uncontrolled urbanization. The problem has become
\nvery complicated. Fighting is now fashionable among high school
\nstudents.<\/p>\n
It's also saddening to know how the police handled the 72
\nstudents. They committed a crime. They have to be treated as
\ncriminals. I'm not suggesting that all of them have to be taken
\nto court, but something has to be done so that they learn from
\nthe incident. It's pedagogical. If not, it will have a bad impact
\non other students.<\/p>\n
Probably the police were just trying to be careful. It's
\nunderstandable considering they've been under fire lately for
\ntheir bad treatment of crime suspects. However, being careful is
\nnot the same as acting meekly.<\/p>\n
Q: What's the best solution then?<\/p>\n
A: I have an interesting example. In Germany, when elementary
\nor junior high school students commit a crime, the police ask
\ntheir parents to beat the students' buttocks because the police
\nare not allowed by law to do so.<\/p>\n
Of course I'm not suggesting that we adopt this method of
\npunishment. The point is that children are taught from their
\nearly childhood to be responsible. Punishment is given whenever
\nthey do something wrong. That will also develop the children's
\nrespect of police officers.<\/p>\n
Q: What can a school do to lessen its students' delinquency?<\/p>\n
A: It's no longer merely the schools' responsibility. It's a
\nproblem parents and the whole society has to face. Years ago
\nschool regulation was said to be responsible for their students
\nin a three kilometer radius of the school grounds. It's nonsense.
\nOutside the fence, we can no longer control the students.<\/p>\n
Parents and society play a very important role. Therefore,
\nthey should work side by side with schools to create a good
\nenvironment for the students' upbringing.<\/p>\n
Punishment is needed for those who have committed a crime, but
\nthey should be given a chance to correct themselves. Therefore we
\nhave to be firm but not ironhanded with them. Harsh punishment
\nshould only be left for those not willing to comply with the law.<\/p>\n
Students need trust, not suspicion. It is society's
\nresponsibility to guide them in the right direction. We should
\nalso remind them that whatever they do will affect other people.
\nThis will teach them to mind other people's business and thus
\nthey will think twice before doing anything. (swa)<\/p>\n
J. Drost, a Catholic priest, is a former headmaster of
\nKanisius and Gonzaga Colleges in Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/urbanization-causes-delinquency-1447893297",
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