Youth Related Problems in Bhutan;

Youth are the jewel of the nation. Bhutan is a young country with more than 60 percent of the population being youth between the ages of 10 and 29 years. The youth of today are the citizens of tomorrow and as such, the future of nation lies in the hands of youth of today. So the youth have the privilege enjoy better opportunities and priorities. 

However, at this age the very jewel of the nation is faced with diverse problems. Despite governments continued efforts in addressing youth concerns in collaboration with other youth-related agencies, we are faced with huge and more challenging youth problems, which not only deteriorate the life of youth themselves but also pose a great threat and concern for the society. Youth related problems require wider dimension for discussion and broader understanding for its solution.

source: rikkuwrites.blogspot.in

The diversity of youth related problems ranges from loss of values by defying the very ethos of our society, social alienation, substance abuse, the juvenile delinquency, unemployment, etc. Looking at the current trend in our country, the juvenile crime is causing more menace and anxiety to the society. It is indeed abominable for the general public to see the audacious youth commit various crimes like battery, stabbing, and robbery, gang fight etc.., but if we assess deeper into the cause, it might be the unemployment which compels our youth to adopt incorrigible lifestyles.

Unemployment is a serious issue in Bhutan. Though the overall unemployment rate is at a datum low of 3.1 percent, the percentage of youth languishing without work has remained at 9.2 percent for the last two years. The Labour Force Survey of 2011 conducted by the labour ministry shows that the youth unemployment continues to be a pressing issue. It is when the children doesn’t have a proper responsibility that they swarm the urban areas and socialize with the birds of same feather, thus doing many mischief. They lose respect for the elders and parents, they do not appreciate the sacred values rather indulge into hooliganism and inculcate the same to others. They land up taking drugs, smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol in name of entertainment.

While people might consider such youth coward and with week will power not having the courage to make one’s life meaningful, but then we never know what kind of mental trauma they are actually facing. Just imagine a situation where you have a degree certificate but could not get a decent job due to career mismatch. It was a mistake that lead you choose the wrong specialization, but it is more fateful when you have to visit one office after another in search for a job and land up nowhere. In fact, most of our unemployed youth are class X and class XII graduates, and the pain of getting a good job is even more painful for them.

Don't Misuse!

The youth problems are at the rise but it can be controlled if we have a will. Like the expectations that we have from our youth, they too anticipate something. What they need is love from the parents, advice and right guidance, career oriented quality education, better recreational facilities in the town, etc. They should be taught to be discrete and respectful for elders and need to shower to them all the sacred values that are steeped in the land of Gross National happiness. Government need to integrate social and economic policy framework to support our youth and help them develop entrepreneurship skills so that they can make their own living and we need to help them pursue their dreams. Moreover, our youth should in themselves, develop a concern for at least oneself and develop a mindset full of love for one’s life, because in love lies the secret power to overcome all the odds. "The positive force of love can create anything good, increase the good things, and change anything negative in your life." Say Rhonda Byrne in her book, The Power.

Meanwhile our societies should never fail in delivering the best guidance and facilities to our youth and keep a close surveillance to them not as criminals but as dynamic yet delicate minds so as to address the problems related to them. For a society that is undergoing rapid changes each passing day, minor problems are inevitable.