Young Men Without a Clue

[Tropicana]

I have spoken with a number of Jamaican parents at home and abroad lately who have the same complaint. Young men in their early 20s who don't seem to have much direction. It starts in their late teens with them complaining that their Jamaican parents and grandparents are too strict and too Christian. There is the pushing to stay out late, the neglect of academics, the hair etc.

I have a cousin who is ready to strangle his son who is in Jamaica and doesn't seem to be able to hold down a job. He is not in any academic programme either. He left his grandparents because they were too strict and too Christian. So I am trying with the young man as he seems to be open to what I have to say. I have suggested he go back with the grandparents until he is settled in a job and so has his father but he is resisting that. There is another young man in Jamaica, also a cousin who is also floundering. Both fathers are brothers. The sisters seem to have more direction.

Anyway I have discussed these cases with some men who are in their 40s and they say they were the same at that age and this is normal male behaviour.




Men. Please say it isn't so and come with some tips on how I can help the one young man in particular sort out what he wants, get a job and stop frustrating his father. I can only focus on one at a time in addition to working with my own son who is at university. If I succeed with the one cousin, I will try with the other.

[twiney]

What have they been taught that being a Christian is that will hold them to that faith? To give them a reason to want to be a part of it all? What steps have been taken to provide the direction they need? Trying to implement this in early twenties as opposed to the teen years when they are making decisions on the foundations they will need for this point is going to be an uphill battle (but not an impossible task).

I have seen many lives wrecked in the name of Christianity because the right lessons were not taught. Results negative feelings and blame ascribed to Christianity when it is simply failed parenting. Remember a class I took with some of them "store owners" children who said they were taking the program to learn the tools to open a business for them self ...Maybe they see all the graduates living from hand to mouth or worst and don't see the value in the education options being offered and need a little redirection. Good luck Tropi.

[Tropicana]

Thanks.