Friday, February 11, 2011

a tale of 2 teenagers

i read with sadness that a 17-year-old student took her life by falling off the 2nd floor of her school building (read here), apparently from a failed relationship. i suppose it could also be a myriad of other possibilities - poor exam results, unable to cope with school, pressure from parents, or just depression - all compelling reasons that can drive teeagers to despair.

but i don't think i will be able to understand why another teenager would want to put on school uniforms, strap himself with explosives, be a suicide bomber & killing 31 in the aftermath (read here) . what can possibly drive someone so young to murder? where did he accumulate so much hatred, or was he just brainwashed to carry out this task by his  military masters?

seriously, i look back & i miss those school-days when we enjoyed going to school (for the camaraderie, not the studies!), attending club activities, playing football & watching movies on weekends & generally making a nuisance of ourselves.

that was an age of innocence that seemed so distant now.

12 comments:

Yvonne Foong said...

There were terrorism all across history. Just that we have mass media to terrorize, I mean, inform, readers today. :P Keris-waving is also terrorism.

wenn said...

ya, those were the days..

doc said...

Yvonne,

well said!

also perhaps we are now more concerned about what's happening around us.

doc said...

Wenn,

yes, good old days, indeed!

ilene said...

There are just too many smart ones around these days thus adding pressure to the very competitive world of education which the kids are unable to cope with. Parents of today are only concern as to how many As and what position their child obtained in school. No regards are taken into consideratin on how the child is coping with his/her studies as the parents themselves are too busy in earning money. But also cannot blame the parents entirely as, if the child do not score good grades, there's no possibility of entering a uni and doing the course of their choice. And who decides on the uni entrance requirement? They are the ones to be blamed for emphasizing on certain criterias! It is definitely a DOG EAT DOG WORLD!

John Ling said...

seriously, i look back & i miss those school-days when we enjoyed going to school (for the camaraderie, not the studies!), attending club activities, playing football & watching movies on weekends & generally making a nuisance of ourselves.

I share your sentiments. It's an increasingly harsh world, and children are just not allowed to be children anymore.

Bengbeng said...

i am so disappointed in my son. in trying to give him what i never had, i created a monster :( tidakapa attitude... he never bothers abt anything as he knows we will pick up the loose ends for him. not tough as we had to when we were growing up.. the inncoent yrs as u put it

Unicorn Girl said...

How times have changed for the worst !

doc said...

Ilene,

ha ha, are you speaking from experience?

doc said...

John,

unreasonable academic expectations could be part of the cause.

doc said...

Beng,

the kids these days don't know the hardship we all went thru!! but give them a chance to grow up - they will remember your nagging & scolding as much as your patience & encouragement.

doc said...

UG,

sometimes i think we are the ones that changed for the worse!!