http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070510/5/singapore275191.html

Generally, this article is one of many that I find hard to truly understand. It deals with teenagers that for the most part, I do not think I am similar to. But it is meaningful even if I am not similar to them, on a societal level, because of the social problem that this article portrays, and personally, because it shows me some problems that I myself may well face that are common associated with youth.

The article as well points out that contrary to the belief of most Singaporeans, teenagers are able to cope with problems by themselves and also to make the right choices even after making some wrong ones. All of this really shows that people are not condemned after making certain choices because they can still break out of what they got themselves into. Although a simple idea in itself, this idea seems rather untrue; there have been many classic cases of ‘problem children’ that we are exposed to, that all portray people who take wrong path in life and unredeemable. The article on the other hand, provides evidence to the contrary.

Once again, the article does however have certain flaws, although it is arguable that the laws regarding media prevent them from fixing these flaws, which is that only one point of view is represented, or if several points of view are shown, that these points of view all concur. All the points of view in this article all speak about the positive effects of the centres, hotline, and programme on the youths. Of course, even if there were divergent views, it is unlikely that it would have been allowed to be published, but otherwise other views could only help the article. Without portraying opposing ideas, the article glaringly points out to the reader that not all ideas may be provided, only positive ones.

It is not difficult to empathize with the youths in this article. The article already points out that the youths are being led back to the right track in life with the help of the centers and hotline and it is quite obvious that they are happy at the moment. The next logical step would be to gauge the response at a more in-depth level and then see if it would be beneficial to open more centres or another hotline. Another alternative would be to have more focus on certain troubling issues; the boy-girl relationship problems stated in the article are an excellent example.

In closing, I must of course state that in my views and opinions there may be certain misjudgments. One example of this would simply be how I tend to make sweeping statements and assume that those teenagers who get into fights and other similar behaviour are juvenile delinquents who have no positive side. This is of course unlikely to be true, and there may well be several exceptions, but because of the majority, such biased statements are made for convenience.