Youth Depression
Saturday, January 01, 2000
We must get to the underlying causes, say the politicians when there is a yet another traumatic report of youth homicide/suicide. What are the warning signs, they ask.
Depression, isolation, fascination with violence, activities unknown to parents, say the psychologists. But this description only narrows the field to a very large sector – mostly young males. Individual counselling cannot fix a problem that is systemic.
If we really want to cure the malaise, we will have to say out loud what everybody knows – schools are depression factories, especially for boys. Boys always have needed and always will need self-esteem, role models, firm guidance, and a purpose in life.
The cure is obvious. Stop talking males down, bring men into primary schools, teach moral principles, and train youth in skills that get jobs.
Philip O'Carroll