Cultivate productive habits

The proliferation of negative habits especially among our young people is taking a negative toll on every aspect of the fabric of our society resulting in a drop in productivity.

These include idleness, drug abuse (legal and illegal), stealing, promiscuity, lawlessness, lack of reading, lack of participation in community groups, and absence from church services and functions.

Young people need guidance. Their energies must be channelled in areas that would benefit them. Hanging out on the block can only be useful if the discussion there is positive. Hanging out on social media also constitutes idling if it is not productive. It is still true that Satan finds work for idle hands to do.

Too many young people are developing the destructive habits of smoking and drinking. Even though cigarette and alcohol use are legal at certain ages, they are detrimental to health and contribute to our country’s low life expectancy rate. The false hope created by medicinal marijuana as an economic solution to our financial dilemma has given some people the impression that its indiscriminate use is acceptable. People involved in the illegal drug trade feel protected when they align themselves with those in authority. When matters go to court the names of the main investors in the drug trade are apparently not disclosed. This is another level of protection. Young people are well advised to stay clear of the trading and use of destructive drugs. The toll taken on community health can be seen in the society and is reflected partially in the registry of our Mental Health Center. We need a drug rehabilitation facility to help to repair some of the damage caused by cocaine and other addictive drugs.

Stealing seems to be gaining prominence in our society.

Whether it is petty theft or white collar, it is a mindset.

Many thieves have not been caught, and some thieves have not had the opportunity to take what does not belong to them.
Many young people have had their innocence stolen from them by those with money and influence. The consent age being at 15 years does not help. Too many sell their bodies for a living or are pimped out by those in whose charge they are.

Lawlessness and lack of respect for authority seem to be the order of the day. On a crowded boat young people smoke, drink and play loud obnoxious music in view of clear No Smoking signs. Van drivers and conductors play loud and offensive music to defenceless travellers. Many motorists drive without due care and attention. Too many students have not yet learned the first lesson of learning, which is obedience. If they would only cooperate with their teachers and the school they would experience record breaking results in their exams.
Reading is necessary for lifelong learning and even though there might not be a community library, people must find other complementary avenues to practice reading. Church materials, the bible, newspapers and the internet can be useful. Merely listening will not stimulate the brain sufficiently for development to occur.

Churches, schools and community groups teach order, discipline, respect and cooperation. They function to transmit values from one generation to another. When children subscribe to their influence, they develop productive habits that teach them how to live and to make a living.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD