'It's not for us to judge them'

'It's not for us to judge them'

In a recent survey of students by the Cinta Anak Bangsa
Foundation, a non-governmental organization working to combat
drug use among teenagers, one in two respondents had a tolerant
attitude toward pornography, while one in five had permissive
views on drugs and violence. The Jakarta Post asked residents for
their thoughts on the issue.

Hana, 24, is a student at the University of Indonesia in
Depok, West Java. She lives with her sister in Tebet, South
Jakarta:

I think it is natural that teenagers today are more toward
drugs, pornography and violence. Every generations is different
and changing. It is part of their exploration. But that does not
mean they will use drugs or rape and assault someone.

I think it is not for us to judge them, as teenagers certainly
have different points of view compared with adults.

What parents can do is to teach their children to think
critically about things while at the same time letting them know
they have to take responsibility for their actions.

If they use drugs or get pregnant, for instance, then they
will have to bear the consequences.

Dewi, 38, is a homemaker. She lives with her husband and two
children in Cempaka Putih, East Jakarta:

I did not know our children had such permissive attitudes
about drugs, pornography and violence. But that is not surprising
because they can get information about these things from so many
places. All of this information will affect them.

We cannot isolate our children from this information because
of globalization and advancements in technology. All we can do
now is to teach our children the best that we can. And then it is
up to them.

I teach my children about religion to shield them from bad
influences because I believe that only religion can prevent them
from doing things they will regret and that will disgrace their
family.

-- The Jakarta Post