Positive news about teenagers is needed to encourage young adults to make good choices

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

Too often we read about young people in the newspaper while shaking our heads and worrying about the future of our society. Stories of teenagers beating other teenagers, of excessive noise, litter and vandalism around high schools, and of young offenders in the justice system give a negative image to those aged 12 to 19.

Most youth are not hooligans, but there's nothing exciting about reporting that a 14-year-old kid is getting okay grades and staying out of trouble. Compounding the problem is the fact that teens who are doing really amazing things are not doing them for attention, and rarely send press releases to announce their accomplishments.

Dozens of young people from this area spent last weekend in Fredericton at the New Brunswick Linking Camp for Cubs, Scouts and Venturers. The camp focused on climate change and what they could do to prevent it.

On Saturday, over 30 Beavers - boys and girls aged five to seven - joined them, after a two hour bus ride for many of them, and were led in games and learning activities by members of Scouts New Brunswick's Youth Council.

The Youth Council members, to these youngest Scouters, were excellent role models. They talked with the Beavers about climate change and saving energy, told them about the things they've done to make a difference, and asked them for ideas on how they could help. Most importantly, they presented the children with an excellent example of how a young person should behave.

All of the reminding in the world will not teach a six-year-old to turn the lights off when he leaves a room as effectively as the reminder he gets from playing light switch tag with a dozen teenagers who have treated him as an equal.

Scouts Canada isn't the only organization that allows our young people to learn how to grow into well-rounded adults. Girl Guides, cadets, youth programs at churches, and leadership clubs at our middle and high schools also offer teens a chance to make great choices in their everyday lives.

As a community, we need to not only thank these youth for their work, but also encourage their endeavors. We need to celebrate the ways in which they are making out world a better place, and reward them for it with positive attention and praise.