The youth must be given wise instruction

Wed, May 6th 2015, 09:58 PM

A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
- Proverbs 13:1

Out of the clear blue sky I pulled down Sir Lynden Pindling's book, "The Vision of Sir Lynden Pindling: In His Own Words" as compiled and edited by Patricia Beardsley Roker. Opening it I came to the middle of the book and there was the topic glaring at me, "Bahamian youth and national development". As I read it, this was written October 28th, 1975, 40 years ago, which is a generation. At that time we were only two years into independence.

We may not want to admit it, but many of the problems that plague our nation are as a result of young people who were not given wise instructions by fathers. I often hear from young men that they do not know their fathers, and as for the girls, they say they do not have a good relationship with their mothers.

It is not a good sight to see as we travel through the highways and byways of our land the multitude of young men who are steeped in idleness, lack reading and writing skills, pruned to lack of respect for law and limb, plotting thievery, rape and murder on a daily basis.

The Book of Proverbs is traditionally considered to have been written by Solomon, son of David. It is composed of wise sayings expressed in short maxims, and is really the words of the wise for the guidance of the people.

Could it be that the words of the late Sir Lynden Pindling, 40 years ago and 15 years after his death, can be classified as wise words from the father of the nation to the sons and daughters of the nation? For me it was like finding a treasured piece of art at a thrift shop. Could it also be that what was written a generation ago was not for that time alone but times in which we now live?

For your reading, I give you "Bahamian youth and national development":

"Any policy consideration of the economic and social development of our nation must be essentially geared to involve young people. The goals of young people are greatly influenced by demographic and sociocultural factors. They are naturally conditioned by the aspirations, objectives and goals set by our society at large. But we must be consciously aware of the value system, which motivates young people and their attitudes toward society, we must appreciate their increasing urge to become involved in 'change' and we must recognize their desire to participate in the development process of building a new economic and social order.

Our own policy then must be based on the awareness of the role of youth as an important, if not dominant factor, for ushering in social change and programs and activities involving young people will have to be based on the recognition of youth's contribution to development and an encouragement of initiatives taken by young people. Young people can and should be seen as powerful agents for national development and social change. And as agents of social changes they are a most valued national asset.

In order that our young people may develop fully and become committed to the development of their country and the welfare of their fellowmen, they should be organized at all levels and given the opportunity to develop themselves. Whatever their potentials, however hidden, they should realize them fully. The problems facing young people blaze across the international headlines daily, yet there are many more young people who are committed to the positive development of their country than there are who are committed to the negative destruction of their country.

The frustrations they feel are very real; the problems they have are very real. The solutions then must be real and viable! But the problems are ours too, they are the problems of all Bahamians. There is no room for partisanship and none should seek to gain any mileage or unduly criticize efforts, for we all owe it to our young people to secure their future.

We must all lend a helping hand. The problems are too grave for us to let them go unnoticed. The efforts are notional efforts, irrespective of our political persuasions, social status or cultural barriers. We all have to build a future for our country and our young people, and as my brother deputy prime minister would add 'with our own hands'."

What if it were possible for Sir Lynden to re-emerge on the scene today to valuate the life and times of today's youth? Would he go to Matthew 11:16-17, which says, "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying, 'We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented'."

o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com Facebook Ruby Ann Darling or write to SS P.O. Box 19725 Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's Blessings!

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