The delicate issue of youth violence in T&T has caused great debate. Everyone has different points of view when it comes to youth violence, but in my opinion I think that the violence is caused by the songs and movies our children listen to and watch.
Parents, have you ever taken some time to listen to the songs and movies that are being produced in today's world? What is the general theme? What is the message artistes are sending through these songs and movies?
Take into consideration song artistes such as Popcaan, Vybz Kartel, Alkaline, Tommy Lee, etc, and movie stars such as Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good, etc. All these songs and movies that they produce are based on who is the most "dread" in society; who belong to the most dreadful gang; who has the most guns; who has the most "hoes" and a lot more illiterate crap.
They also go to the extreme in their songs telling us how violent they are and what they can do. And to mention the movies as well, all they are based on is romance, killing and drug trafficking. And this is what our youths are expose to. They hear and see, through the songs and movies, the benefits and pleasure these artists get from the gangster life they live. And they want the same.
They often have these artistes as their role models and start imitating everything these do, from the way they dress to the way they act.If you look carefully at the youths today you would actually see what I am talking about.
And this is why there are so many violent and excessive killings in society. Since these movies and songs that are produce are all based on forming gangs and making easy money by robbery and drug trafficking, the youths often want to achieve the same, because it may seem as an easy way for them to have a luxurious life.
In this way there is a lot of gangs forming which lead to a lot of turf wars, obviously resulting in a lot of killings.And this is just but one factor that causes the youths to turn to violence and crime.
Adam Tang
