'Parents, children need more dialogue'

'Parents, children need more dialogue'

In a recent survey of students by the Cinta Anak Bangsa
Foundation, 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.

Rudy, 40, owns a food outlet in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. He
lives with his 22-year-old daughter in Kebon Jeruk:

Frankly speaking, I am concerned about the safety of my
daughter, who studies at a private university here. I could not
let her live by herself here.

That is why I decided to move here from my home in Purwokerto,
Central Java, leaving behind my work there and opening a new
business here. I do not want to risk something bad happening to
my daughter, let's say an unwanted pregnancy.

My daughter protested, saying I was overprotective and treated
her like a little girl. But now I think she has begun to
understand why I was so insistent.

Azas Tigor Nainggolan, 40, is an urban activist. The father of
two lives on Jl. Matraman Raya in East Jakarta:

Two-way communication between parents and children is very
important to prevent children from getting involved in drugs, and
to allow parents to monitor their children's activities outside
of the home.

When my wife decided to quit her job as a civil servant it was
because of our concern for our children. We believed that we
could not communicate with them if we were both busy with work.

My wife now has a business she can run out of our house and
she can monitor the activities of our children.

I am also very concerned about television programs that are
sexual in nature, which is not good for our children. I urge the
government to create clear regulations on publications and
broadcasts.

-- The Jakarta Post