Of Bohsias and Cikaros

First there were bohsias, girls who, according to a newspaper report, sometimes become “prizes” for the guys who won bets.

Now the latest are the cikaros, pre-teen girls and teenagers who surrender their prized maidenhood to street thugs voluntarily, after a short period, as short as a few hours’ acquaintance. They do so to vie for the title of “ratu cikaro” or Miss Popularity. The criteria for this title are being sexy, bubbly and brave. They may be found in places where the thugs have their illegal races and they are also often on the move.

What has happened to the parents of such girls? Do they not know what their offspring are up to? Do they not question the hours that the youngsters keep? Illegal races are often held in the early hours of the morning, a time when young people should be in bed, as they would have to attend school the next day.

Or don’t they attend school? Or do they belong to today’s lost generation, growing up amoral, without parental guidance or supervision?

Have their parents abdicated responsibility when their children become out of control? Why do they give up so easily on their young? Does religion no longer play a part in family life?

Should couples preparing for marriage then be compelled to attend parenting skills seminars as part of the preparatory course? This could give them an idea of what it means to be responsible parents and how to nurture their children.

Religion and religious practices should be an integral part of home life so that the young have a moral framework to support them when they encounter problems. Fear of God is good in that one thinks before acting in a manner that is unacceptable to God.

Meanwhile let’s hope that this cikaro trend will not escalate to the detriment of the generation that is coming of age. Think of HIV, Venereal diseases, baby dumping or infanticide..... the list of horrors is appalling.

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