Child, This Is The Real World

By Claire Osoteo. Claire is a young writer from Bacnotan in the Philippines. Please read her article and leave your thoughts and comments below.

Children have more need of role models than of critics.

Alongside the earth’s revolution is the ceaseless movement of time. Leaving the shadows of the 90’s, the twenty-first century has had a vast impact on the whole world, especially on the lives of the people. Modernization has stolen the limelight, and we can perceive apparent transformations everywhere – the lifestyle itself, education, science and technology, architecture, fashion trends, beliefs and attitudes of the people and a lot more. All goes through vicissitudes, except for the two things that seem to be living with us from the start of life ‘til the end of time – the death of the old and the birth of the new.

We live with time. Every single day on Earth is either an end or a beginning – an end to those who have already fulfilled their missions and a beginning to those little creatures inside ready to see the outside world. With soft as satin skin and lips seem to know no sin, every baby becomes the bliss of the family; the joy in every home. Truly a blessing, such an adorable present from God deserves to be showered with love, attention and care from the people around her, not just in her infancy, but also as she grows up and starts to have an idea of what the real world could offer to every child like her.

The real world is cruel. It is far from a paradise where people behave like angels, pots of gold are at the ends of the rainbow, unicorns and dragons exist and candy houses are everywhere. Currently, the world, which is supposed to be the haven for humanity, is a dangerous maze where the most vulnerable ones are the innocent children and the aged. In fact, according to the World Health Organization Media Centre, globally in 2014, 1 billion children aged 2–17 years experienced physical, sexual, emotional or multiple types of violence. In addition, every year, there are an estimated 41,000 homicide deaths in children under 15 years of age. Children also comprised 28 percent of detected trafficking victims in 2014 and US$7 trillion is lost due to violence against them each year, equivalent to 8 percent of global GDP.

Moreover, it is heart-breaking to know that at a very young age, children do not have the capability yet to protect themselves or run and hide from all the dangers around them. Aside from violence, more of issues have burgeoned like poisonous mushrooms everywhere, destroying children’s hopes and dreams. These issues are poverty, health problems, education, hunger, lack of clean water, HIV/AIDS, crime, unhealthy environment, social issues, rapid increases in population, and child labor.

However, there are many ways to save and protect our children. Every national government, no matter what type it is, surely has laws and programs that provide for protection and betterment of every child. Some of these are charitable institutions which provide the children shelter, food, and medication, free education, themed parks, and playgrounds for learning and socialization, as well as discounted fare and the like. Also, individually, we can contribute to the improvement of their environment by being sensitive enough to feel what they are trying to express, to hear the unspoken words, and to read what their eyes tell us. As the ones who have received proper guidance, we should extend our caring hands to make them feel loved, secured and protected. We must not turn our backs on them, like many did; we must face them with courage and hope that theirs will soon become a better world. Change is the only permanent thing in the world; it is several steps away from us. Why can’t we just grasp it now?

As Albert Camus said at the Dominican Monastery of Latour-Maubourg, reported in Resistance, Rebellion and Death, “Perhaps, we cannot prevent this world from being a world in which children are tortured. But, we can reduce the number of tortured children.” Children do not need people telling them what to do, rather, they need to be shown he right thing to do and how to do it. Children do not need critics; they need examples. Ask them to behave. Show them how to have good hearts. Make them live in a safe place so as they grow old, they know the feeling of being protected and secured. All the things that we do, tell and show to a child will become his weapons as he faces the real world and the challenges of l

4 comments on “Child, This Is The Real World

  1. El Martini on

    Your article was very eye-opening to say the least, it brings up topics that currently affect our society and isn’t been addressed enough as a community. Your use of figurative language was superb and the language choices well suited the topic to a compelling standard. Additionally, other aspects of your article can be applied elsewhere especially it draws to mind how cruel and unstable the world is. Furthermore by applying a solution the audience is now able to act upon these goals with unity, which was well supported by your quote.

    Reply
  2. Bri on

    Jaw-dropping. Your article is worth to be read by many, simple because it is absolutely amazing. From your word usage to your arguments, you have heedfully yet smartly brought out an undervalued case, which is, the children’s betterment.

    Reply

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