The scriptures say train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

This is what a father of three from the village of Faleula-Uta said while referring to the changes in behavioral issues among youths in Samoa today. 

Venu Venu, 43, told the Village Voice team that youths these days do not understand the hardship most families in Samoa face. 

“I have seen so many youths just riding the bus and don’t even go to school or work and they would rather waste their time,” Mr. Venu said while on his way to collect firewood yesterday. 

“I guess they don’t know how hard finding money nowadays is and how difficult it is to cope with the cost of living we have today.”

Mr. Venu said the root cause of the problem existed within the family because parents had stopped playing their roles.

“I think the connection between parents and their children have been disrupted by the high cost of living that parents are trying to cope with.

“Some parents are just too careless; they are even scared of their children and never even bother talking to them giving them the right teachings.”

Mr. Venu says his children are all employed and are now helping their family.

“My kids have started working and they are not perfect, they sometimes disrespect me but I never stop talking to them.

“I believe in the Bible saying that we have to teach our children while they are young when they grow up, they will not turn away from it.”

Mr. Venu also added that parents needed to be aware of their children’s whereabouts.

“We as parents have to be alert and we have to make sure that our children don’t stir up problems in villages or public areas.”