While many people have crtiticised the behaviour of young people, Siaosi Tumanu’a from the village of Saleimoa and Leauva’a disagrees.

The 26-year-old says it is wrong for people to generalize and paint all youths as bad just because of a few bad apples.

 “We are all different in our own ways,” he said.

 “As a youth, I am quite sad about the behaviour of others and how that paints a bad picture for all of us. 

“Just because a few are causing trouble in the community and starting up fights and now people are pointing fingers at us and saying that we are all the same.”

He reminds Samoa that youths play a very important role within families, villages, and communities.

“We are the future of our families. We help our families out here and there with chores; some of us work extra hard to try and provide for our families. Some of us have families of our own.

“The future of our families and communities depend upon us.”

According to Siaosi, the reason some youths end up on the streets causing trouble is the result of poor parenting.

“People are entitled to their own opinion. For me some children who grew up under bad parenting end up having a successful and happy life.

“However, others may continue the cycle of making poor parenting decisions when they have children of their own and the process keeps going.

 “In some cases, many young parents do the things their parents did when they were growing up because that is all they know. 

“If you grew up with negative parents who you couldn’t rely on, you might end up being the same way.” 

Siaosi added that the most important thing for young people is to listen and obey their elders.

 “If you have a job, be honest with your work and don’t forget to take your pay to your parents. If you don’t have a job, we have the land and the sea to work and fish.”

Siaosi works at the farm and he also fishes.

“I just got back from fishing and I try my best to tend our plantation for food.”