'Media promotes violence and indecency'

In a recent study conducted by the Cinta Anak Bangsa Foundation (YCAB), a non-governmental organization working to combat drug use among teenagers, one in two student respondents have a permissive attitude toward pornography, while one in five view illicit drugs and violence as acceptable. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts on the issue.

Kiftiawati, 26, is a part-time teacher at Nurul Fikri Islamic High School in Cimanggis, Depok. She lives in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta:

As a teacher, I'm very concerned about the results of the study. It shows that schools as an educational institution have failed to prepared their students to be intelligent and critical in terms of discerning between what's right and wrong. A permissive attitude toward sex, illicit drugs and violence are not what we, teachers, expected.

However, the students and teachers are not the only parties responsible in this case. To a certain extent, the freedom of the press has also affected students' perception. Some tabloids, which show indecent pictures and violence, are sold on the streets every day without anyone monitoring them.

I prefer to use a more gentle approach in handling students with such problems, such as holding regular group discussions or hanging out at the school cafeteria to listen to their inner voice. After that we discuss the solutions together, while I do my best to avoid dictating my views.

But, the government should help me in monitoring and giving sanctions to media that promote violence and pornography.

Laula Olivia, 30, is a housewife with two toddlers. She lives in Depok:

I blame this situation on the free distribution and access of VCDs, magazines and websites that contain pornographic material. People, along with the government of course, should fight against this.

To prevent my children from having such a permissive attitude or even getting involved in sex and violence, I will try my best to position myself as their friends, to be there when they need to ask about anything, including sex.

But the most important thing is that society needs to draw the line between what is proper and improper. Even if my children are taught well at home and school, they could change when they see people behaving inappropriately such as kissing or exhibiting sexually suggestive behavior in public places.

-- The Jakarta Post