Articles

Youth Violence - The Way Out

By Elder Richard Adjei

P a r e n t s , politicians, and c o m m u n i t y leaders are at a loss as to how to address the increasing youth violence in our time. In 2005, over 70 people were killed as a result of youth violence in Toronto alone. If concrete steps are not taken, many more lives would be lost. This trend is not exclusive to Toronto, but occurs in many other cities in the country. A recent study by Statistics Canada indicates teen violence is more intense, escalates far faster and involves groups, girls and weapons more than ever before (Brodie Fenlon, Toronto Sun, December 12, 2004). Everyone is asking if there is a way out of this youth violence. What can we, as believers, do to arrest the violence?

The Role of Parents, Churches and Communities

A major cause of youth violence and delinquency is broken homes and improper guidance of children resulting from the absence of parents or their failure to properly nurture, guide, and discipline their wards. The absence of parents could be due either to their working long hours, prolonged travel, or to divorce. As a result, the young ones are left to do whatever they please. They look for affection and acceptance elsewhere, usually from bad company or gangs. God designed children (including teens) to be raised by both mothers and fathers. In today's divorce-tolerant and money-seeking world, parents should keep children's well-being in mind in the choices they make in order to avoid any negative effect on the children.

The increasing violence and delinquency are also symptoms of the absence of godly values, practices, and role models within families. Today, the Bible is missing in our communities and in many Christian homes. Society now accepts anything but the Word of God because it is deemed to be too restrictive. However, the Bible teaches many things- respect for authority, sanctity of life, good company, love, peace etc.- that would make this world a better place to live in. Proverbs 22:6 urges parents to teach children the way they should go so that they will not depart from it when they grow. We should go back to reading, applying, and treasuring the scripture which is our map to heaven and a guide to better living in this perverse world.

If parents want to see good behaviors in their children, they ought to model those behaviors for their children to emulate. Boredom is another cause of youth violence. When the youth do not have meaningful activities to keep them preoccupied, they find other things to do; for the devil finds work for the idle hand. The youth need better alternatives to gangs and the gangster "get rich or die trying" lifestyle. They need to be encouraged to take their education seriously. Tutoring will help those who are academically weak to excel and to keep them engaged in school.

The availability of recreational activities and employment could ease boredom and prevent the youth from getting into crime. It is also imperative that we involve the youth in the church and community activities which will keep them busy and out of trouble. They will then become positive models for others as they learn to guard their lives. Further, the church and community can help by making jobs readily available to the youth, especially during the summer, so that they would not yield to the temptations that come with poverty. 

Role of the Youth

The youth should realize that the emptiness in their lives cannot be filled by violence, acting tough, bullying others, rebelling, rudeness, drugs or sexual promiscuity. Jesus Christ is the only One who can fill a void in life and give peace that surpasses all understanding. As much as families, gangs and peers may love you, none would lay down his life for you - but Jesus is the one who sticks closer than a brother or a friend and laid down His life for mankind. If you have not already done so, surrender your life to Jesus and live to please Him, for He will fill the void in your life. Also, the youth should know that there is a consequence to whatever action they make. The principle of reaping what one sows still holds. They must, therefore, learn to solve conflicts peacefully and not violently as those who live by the sword, die by the sword (Matthew 26:52). In today's philosophy (particularly in entertainment such as video games, television, internet, music, and movies), violence is glorified as the best means for resolving disagreements. But let us remember that Cain (Genesis 4), Simeon and Levi (Genesis 49:5-6), and Absalom (2 Samuel chps 13-18) solved their problems with violence and ended up with premature death or curses.

Furthermore, the youth must take their education seriously so that they can get good careers and not have to live in the poor conditions that breed violence and crime.

Choose Peace

The problem of youth violence and delinquency is everywhere in today's society and the church is not immune to it. Parents, communities, churches, and the youth themselves have important roles to play in ending this deadly cycle. Let us begin by allowing the Bible to be our guide and choosing the way of peace instead of violence.

Editor's Note: Elder Richard Adjei is the National Youth Leader of The Church of Pentecost Canada.

Source: Pentecost Herald Newsletter, April 2006

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