Brudirect.com - News Headlines

BruneiDirect.Com

Young & The Reckless In A Changing World
By Huraizah Ahmad & P. Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - Drug abuse, casual sex and abortion are the major ailments confronting the nation's young in a lifestyle driven by broken homes, the ‘e-world’ and its ubiquitous extensions.

These social trends affecting youth in the country were among issues raised at the Special Women's Assembly Maulud Nabi celebrations yesterday.

Datin Hjh Adinah bte Othman, Director of Community Development in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and a motivational specialist invited from Malaysia. Ustazah Siti Nor Bahyah binti Mahamood presented their opinions in a ‘Nadwah session’ on the negative issues affecting the nation's youth and the religious aspects of the topic.

According to research conducted by the ministry, the social ailments, including casual sex, are found to be caused by the individual's spirituality, family problems, environment and even the development of modem technology such as the Internet that can he freely accessed by virtually anyone.

In Brunei, minor cases of cyber sex meetings, recording immoral acts between teenagers and distributing them via videophone messaging along with selling sex for mobile phone recharge cards have also been reported.

In 2006, there was a drop in the number of teenage pregnancies (19 years & below) to 138 compared to 302 pregnancies (out of wedlock) in 2003 previously.

"We need to understand that this drop may be due to teenagers who are now more knowledgeable in avoiding unwanted pregnancy and/or those who have undergone unreported abortion," said Datiri Hjh Adinah.

Between 2004 to 2007, Syariah cases have reported at least 1,272 cases of immoral acts which not only involve adults but also the young.

Couples who wish to get married need to properly discuss their responsibilities as husband and wife and understand the lifetime commitment that they are venturing into before finally committing into marriage. Cases of divorce by parents are also some of the issues that drive children towards social ailments. In 2007, there have been 434 cases of divorces: a 40 per cent increase from 2002. A majority of the cases affect individuals within the age range of 25 to 27, she adds.

Lack of parenthood skills, communication breakdown and low income or poor income management is the major causes of divorces in the country.

From 2002 to 2006, a 162 per cent increase in female and child abuse has been recorded with a majority of wife abuse cases followed by child abuse.

In 2006, some 307 cases of abuse were reported and in 2007, 268 cases of abuse have been recorded by the Women and Child Abuse Unit of the Royal Brunei Police Force.

It was also found that at least 74 percent of residents in welfare homes come from broken homes or unstable families.

Datin Hjh Adinah also advised parents not to be too strict in nurturing their children and to balance love and discipline, respect child rights, have proper time management for spending quality time with their children and showing support and motivating them to succeed.

There are three role players responsible to realise the success of the development of the nation's youth. This includes the father as the ‘role model’, a wife who is faithful and children who are respectful of elders, said Ustazah Siti Nor Bahyah binti Mahamood at the session.

Ustazah Siti Nor Bahyah binti Mahamood also spoke on the greatness of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who acts as a role model to his ‘Ummah’ and how Muslims should follow his positive attitude and his devotion towards Allah in order to achieve greatness in life and be successful. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Back to News Page

Write to Us

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with