TEENAGE PARADIGM

How could the world know you exist if you don’t even show yourself? If you don’t even speak. If you don’t even cohere with the norms of the society? How could the world know there’s a “you” resident in this milieu? Give a damn in this world and come out of your shell. You deserve a break.

The contemporary youth have been stereotyped to be nonconformists. That we don’t follow rules, we create our own world apart from the real scenery. We are tagged as paroxysmal. But isn’t it unfair for those who are abiding by the law?

This is reality. We have to face it. Even how tough it is. There is undeniably a huge gap between the teenage generation of our parents and ours. Things are far different now. A huge number of the teen population has been exposed to different unlawful activities. It is indisputable. Well just talking about the adolescent population here in the Philippines, in every 10 teensters, there are only two who are virtuous. Imagine the statistics. What percentage of the Philippine population comprises the youth? As estimated, 70%. Now that makes a colossal unorthodox Filipino youth. Sigh.

I salute the nonconformists. But not the “exaggerated” ones. Well I think too much of everything isn’t really good. I’d have to stick to that famous line.

We should speak. About what? About the truth. That not all Filipino nonconformists are rubbish and inept. We are never pathetic. Show to the world what you’ve got. Don’t be afraid of the criticisms. You’re given star-count chances to try and do something productive. How? Educate yourself. It doesn’t mean if you do not go to school you can’t be educated anymore. Remember, experience is the best teacher. Well I really don’t know where I’ve gotten to right now, but I have only one thing in mind: We can change that stereotype.

We can change the whole world. We are the hope right? Let’s prove them we still work. Bring out the best in you. You still have a chance to stand up and shine again. Just don’t let obstacles hamper you and your dreams. You can do it. You know you can.