Tomorrow’s Leaders, our YOUTH: What if they suddenly want to do it their own way?

Posted on February 25, 2008
Filed Under Parenting and Family, Peace amd Governance, Thoughts | Viewed 737 times

Let me plug this one first:
What: Team RP CONCERT FOR TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY, and REFORM
When: 4:00pm-8:30 pm, 25 February 2008 (Monday)
Where: Gate 2.5 Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Height, QC

Our YOUTH—they are tomorrow’s leaders, the hope of our land. Now, with all the activities, pro- (are they genuine ones?) and anti-administration, happening here and there nowadays, how should we parents deal with our youth? There are activities that are school-sanctioned, there are those that are not. Of course it it good for them to know the issues, to give their own contribution, big or small. But sometimes we parents worry—what if they go overboard? what if they suddenly want to do it their own way?

I have 7 kids, from a 28 year old adult to an 11 year old adolescent, each of them having varying views, from moderate ones, to even no views at about these current socio-political issues—the Lozada testimony, the many past senate hearings, the JDV oust, “I am not perfect” statement, etc.

Yes, it is easy to let them join school activities, write their essays in school, join debates, or talk among themselves in YM or friendster, if ever they do. These venues are still within their comfort zones, within our own comfort zones. But what about if they go one step further, say write blogs, appear on TV, join rallies not with us parents, but with their own peers.

EDSA I and II were kinda easy for me—my small kids tagged along, because I tagged them along for the sake of being with me, to be part of history. They were too young to know the issues, all they knew was that they were enjoying the crowd, the camaraderie, the ride back home. So easy for them to say “I was there at EDSA”, while the magic and furor of EDSA lasted, showing pictures and all.

Now that they are older, what? What if they suddenly want to do it on their own. It’s difficult to let go. Even if we have out own stand, even though we revolt inside about the big-time corruption, big time greed, big time deception, we parents would always think about their safety. When will we ever let go? Most often, the rallies or the gatherings have been peaceful, but we cannot always tell. There is always that possibility of the authorities going out of their maximum tolerance mode. Gosh! If something happens to my child who is out there, would I just be proud of it, and say, my son or my daughter is a hero? So heart-breaking, and I am not ready for it.

Vince had his shining moment—the symbolic pinning of a St Ignatius Loyola medal on Eng Jun Lozada, publicly announcing his support to his cause. Monica had written about good governance and the bureaucracy. BA and I have been attending public gatherings, church-sanctioned activities, raising our hands in defiance. I have been writing down my thoughts about all these fiasco, and voicing my displeasure.

But I am still in my comfort zone, as far as my kids’ activities are concerned—they are still within their school sanctioned activities, or within the activities that I attend and write about. But when all too suddenly, what if your child would like to go on his or her own, be the activist, be the rightist or the leftist? What would you do? Give your blessings, and support him or her? Or talk him or her out of it? Or intervene? We have heard of many student leaders being threatened, tortured or disappear.

There are many parents who are in this crossroad, many who have been in this crossroad, many of them helpless, many of them still seeking justice for their children. My heart breaks for them, but I would not want to be in their shoes.

Today’s YOUTH, tomorrow’s leaders. Are we willing to take the risks with them? Can you share your thoughts?

Comments

6 Responses to “Tomorrow’s Leaders, our YOUTH: What if they suddenly want to do it their own way?”

Manuel L. Quezon III: The Daily Dose » Blog Archive » An immoderate threat when representatives fail the people on February 25th, 2008 11:41 am

[...] where the Comelec computer operators found refuge after their historic walkout from the PICC. The D Spot worries about her kids, what happens if they decide to join [...]
Dedicated to Our Youth (Love the Philippines!) « Here’s to Life! on February 25th, 2008 11:55 am

[...] Dine’s Tomorrow’s Leaders, our YOUTH: What if they suddenly want to do it their way? [...]
Push for Change, BE the Change. » A Filipina Mother's Recovery Notes » on February 25th, 2008 1:50 pm

[...] Dine on Tomorrow’s Leaders, our YOUTH: What if they suddenly want to do it their own way? [...]
jhay on February 25th, 2008 2:04 pm

You’re a parent Mam Dine, a good one at that, so it would be of no surprise for worries like these.

My parents share the same anxieties as you do, we’ve been through a lot of heated arguments in the past, sometimes downright fights, because of my Left-leaning tendencies.

However, each time I do cross paths with my parents because of our different ideals, mind-sets and dreams, I’ve sticked to one explanation as to why I am so willing to go or do what is needed;

I do these things today, so that my children will not have to in the future.
Parents and Children on Truth and Communal Action » A Filipina Mother's Recovery Notes » on February 28th, 2008 11:00 am

[...] wonders But sometimes we parents worry —what if they go overboard? what if they suddenly want to do it their own way?. I will be the [...]
Chriskarol on May 18th, 2008 2:04 am

If sometime in the future my daughter will reveal to me that she is a covert NPA and that she is instigating an Edsa (fill in the number) to overthrow the current dictatorial government…

...I’ll panic. Now that’s a sure answer!