'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