Neglected children

Referring to Fishermen's children suffer from exploitation (The Jakarta Post, July 21, 1996), I would like to make some comments.

I feel sorry for our children these days, especially those who live in remote areas or in fishing villages, because they have no opportunity to play with their friends. They are forced to work to support their parents.

The reason why the children must earn money for their parents is that they are poor. They have to survive on very little money.

Actually the government has tried very hard to improve the lot of the younger generation, the leaders of the future. But the government's efforts have had little effect.

Recently I was shocked to read in The Jakarta Post that some children have become victims of pedophilia. There are some immoral people who resort to criminal acts purely for their personal gratification and thus destroy the children's future.

I fully agree with the article published on July 23, 1996 (Sex education needed as shield against pedophiles) calling on parents to be more aware of the results of globalization. In this context we should make a concerted effort to find the best possible solution to this problem, since it is not only the government's problem but the whole nation's responsibility.

AGUNG RIYANTO

Bandung, West Java