Children grow up

"Gang rapes hit global headlines" in Delhi, according to SBS Dateline ... but apparently, more of the same thing happens in Phnom Penh that goes unreported.

According to the article, 5% of men surveyed have reported participating in gang rape, whereas in other parts of the world, only about 1-2% of men respond similarly.  Apparently, there is a cultural practice called "bauk" where men consider the act to be a "plus"; to be male-bonding and having fun.  They do not see it as rape or as bad behaviour.  They do it because they think it to be normal within their society.

Apparently, sex workers are hired, and then forced to have sex with a group.  Women, generally, do not fear getting attacked.

The justice system catches and punishes some men, and some people try to "correct" the situation.

The article explains that "In Cambodia like many countries young men are under pressure to appear tough and fit in. There is also a cultural reluctance among the older generation to talk to them about sex and healthy relationships."

It appears that the culture and the older generation are perhaps negligent in educating the younger ones about sex and acceptable, responsible behaviour.  This leads to a practice that is perhaps deemed as undesirable in many other societies.  To try to correct such behaviour suddenly would leave the young people to question why they are taught differently from what they have grown up believing.

So how do we address such issues?

Apparently, the older generation needs to take responsibility.

In Australia, it has been deemed that girls grow up too quickly, "worrying about weight, looks, boys and fashion at the age of ten" instead of enjoying childhood.

Generally, girls experience puberty while their ages are between 10 and 14 years.  At this stage, they understand their bodies are changing, and they wonder what it means to be women.  According to essentialkids.com.au, they can learn these things from adults, or from their peers. The opinion of the author is that adults make better mentors compared to peers.  Peer influence tend to (generally speaking) be more dangerous.

For this reason, it is recommended that adults make time to spend with their developing children.  It is inevitable that kids will learn from peers anyway, but some adult influence can be positive.

Do you think so?  What do you think?  How do we cure the problems that society will potentially face in the next generation?  How much time do we spend with our children?  How much do our children look up to us?

Does God have a role in all this?