The Youth Project that the government runs every year during summer vacation is designed to protect underage students during their long weeks away from school and ensure they do not get involved in illegal activities or allow themselves to be used by criminal gangs.
Ramped-up police checks at entertainment venues have become the flagship activity of the Youth Project, but apart from that, all members of society, whatever their status, share a common responsibility of protecting teenagers.
Only with public participation can the Youth Project have the maximum crime-prevention effect.
First of all, parents cannot be left out of the equation. Young people’s earliest teachers are their parents. As long as children have not reached adulthood, their parents should fulfill their responsibilities by arranging their children’s lives, and accompanying and guiding them during the long holidays.
In terms of legal provisions, a law should be enacted to affirm the responsibility of parents if their children set foot in improper places while on vacation. These regulations should be paired with enforcement provisions that encourage parents to fulfill their responsibilities.
Second, even when teachers are on vacation, they should not forget their obligation to care for and advise their students. Teachers should keep track of how their students are doing while on vacation by regularly keeping in touch with the youngsters and their parents.
If schools can organize a wide variety of holiday activities, including not only academic learning, but also outdoor activities and training in sports and other skills, it would greatly reduce the likelihood of teenagers engaging in improper activities and wandering into unsuitable places.
Government departments should encourage schools to arrange vacation activities for their students by providing them with substantial subsidies.
Lastly, the general public must not be absent either. Many juvenile crimes result from the uncaring attitude of the public, who are often selfishly indifferent when they see juveniles on the verge of breaking the law. Of course that is not as bad as the criminal gangs who use young people as tools to commit crimes.
This kind of situation calls for more members of the public to help the police handle such cases. Anyone who encounters such situations should promptly express concern, report unlawful activities and do what they can to stop them.
Chen Chi-nung is an educator.
Translated by Julian Clegg
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