Sharon Laura Cleford
As someone who has experienced the struggles and triumphs of youth first-hand, I can attest to the importance of nurturing and supporting our young people. While being young is often associated with carefree, carelessness, and reckless behaviour, there is so much more to this phase of life than meets the eye.
Youth is a time of incredible potential, energy, and creativity. It is a time when anything is possible, when the world is your oyster, and when you can dream big dreams without the burden of the practicalities of life weighing you down. But it’s also a time of tremendous uncertainty, fear, and doubt. It can be difficult to find your place in the world, to know who you are, and to figure out what you want to do with your life.
The challenges that young people face today are different from those of previous generations. Social media, cyberbullying, and the pressure to succeed at all costs are just a few of the issues that young people must navigate in today’s world. It’s more important than ever for adults to step up and provide the support and guidance that our youth need to thrive.
One of the most significant challenges facing our young people today is the pressure to succeed. This pressure comes from many different sources, including parents, peers, and society at large. Young people are told that they need to get good grades, attend prestigious universities, and land high-paying jobs to be successful. This pressure can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety, depression, and a sense of inadequacy.
As adults, it’s our responsibility to help young people understand that success comes in many different forms. It’s not just about making a lot of money or having a high-powered job. Success is also about finding your passion, living a fulfilling life, and being a positive influence in the world. We need to help young people see that they can define success on their own terms and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Another challenge facing our young people is the pressure to conform. This pressure comes from the media, peers, and society at large. Young people are bombarded with messages about how they should look, act, and think. This pressure can be stifling, leading to a lack of creativity and limiting their potential.
It is essential to encourage young people to be themselves, to express their individuality, and to embrace their differences. We need to teach them to celebrate diversity and reject stereotypes and prejudice. We must create a safe and inclusive environment where young people feel supported and respected, regardless of their background, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
But supporting our youth isn’t just about what we say, it’s also about what we do. We need to model the behaviours and values that we want young people to emulate. We need to show them that we care that we respect their opinions, and that we’re here for them. We need to listen to them, to understand their concerns, and to engage in meaningful conversations with them.
In the end, the most important thing we can do for our young people is to create an environment where they feel loved, supported, and empowered. We need to give them the space to be themselves, to make mistakes, and to learn from those mistakes. We need to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the world and to encourage them to pursue their dreams with passion.
As we continue to face the challenges of the 21st century, it’s more important than ever that we support our young people. By doing so, we can help them overcome obstacles, realize their potential, and build a brighter future for themselves and for generations to come.
(Ms. Sharon Laura Cleford graduated with a visual communication degree in 2017 and have been thriving as a writer in media and entertainment for six years. She loves exploring the world and enjoy good food, classic movies, and beach vacations. She is always seeking new challenges and experiences, and her work reflects her passion for capturing life’s fleeting moments as an intrepid writer.)
