They discussed the disrespect that youth were showing, and the disastrous results of violence, drop outs and drug abuse. After an hour of debate none of the four participants could pinpoint an exact reason for the bad behavior of the young.

So I told them in a letter just like this one what the reasons were for the disrespect and neglect of law and morality.

One, any modern thinking young person has a huge problem respecting religion, and accepting the myths of parting seas, reviving dead people, talking donkeys and changing water into wine. Religious leaders are arrested for sexually abusing young people, they are driving in limousines and not paying taxes.

Two, police officers are found to steal money from detainees, dealing drugs, killing suspects and getting away with it.

Three, schools are useless institutions when after 12 years of studying there are no jobs for those who get their diploma.

Whom can young people look up to? There are no role models any more.

Where religious leaders should show the highest morality, police should uphold the law and show the highest moral conduct, and schools should teach young people to be succesfull workers, the contrary is true.

No person in a high position will ever look for the blame by himself and always try to find a culprit somewhere far away.

I point to the institutions that are responsible for showing the young people the right conduct. While religions, upholders of the law and educational institutions continue to misbehave, we will not see the youth behaving any better.

Alexander Baldal
Sint Maarten