Is our future in good hands?

THE very popular quotation of Dr. Jose Rizal, “Youth, hope of the fatherland,” is often mentioned especially during school activities and political campaigns. The sad state, however is that nowadays, reports from NGO’s, news on television, radio broadcast and police reports, attribute drunkenness mostly to youth delinquents. If Rizal were still alive, would he still utter the same words, considering the change in today’s generation?

Crimes and drunkenness are intertwined. King Solomon, the wisest king of Israel who lived said, “If you are drunk, your eyes will see strange things and your heart will utter perverse things.” In addition, Proverbs 20:1 says “Wine produces mockers; alcohol lead brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.”

Where some youths go most of the time? Contrary to their parents’ expectations, oftentimes, some youths skip classes and instead, proceed to internet cafes to play online games, to billiard halls or to bars. What they do are clear deviations from achieving their educational goals.

If these people won’t change for the better, how will they ever become the future leaders of our motherland?