Pakistan is currently the world’s fifth most populous country. The majority of the population consists of youth between the ages of 18 to 30. The youth are our future, our most valuable assets; in their hands will soon lie the reins of the nation. However, we see that they are facing tremendous problems in finding a direction in life. They need guidance, help, and role models.

It is the parents’ prime responsibility to guide their children on the way to success. It is necessary for parents to inculcate sound ethics in the younger generation so that they refrain from waywardness.

Adolescence is a particularly important phase of life. It is a unique stage for laying the foundations for the future edifice of life. Adolescents experience rapid physical and cognitive growth. This affects how they feel, think, share, make decisions, and interact with the world around them.

Though every young person is different from the other, and each builds his or her life according to their own individual experiences, they all share some basic traits. For example, they want to be attractive, energetic and passionate in their peer circle. They adopt new fashions and hairstyles, flaunt new clothes, and dream about achieving certain goals. With each passing day, they become more and more independent about the things they like, how to get around and where to go, how to spend time and how to spend money.

The youth are required to understand the nature of life.

As they become more independent, there come some changes in family routines and relationships, as well as their friendships. It is a period where they develop their own perceptions about the world. This creates a gap between parents’ thinking and that of their offspring. Many youths resort to throwing tantrums over trivial matters. In many cases, parents lose their influence over youths, but it is necessary that they keep an eye on their behaviour and try to reduce the gap between them.

It is also a precarious stage where youths can be misled and adopt negative habits like smoking, or take to drug addiction. Therefore, they need special attention and constant encouragement to stay away from social evils.

Normally, youths seem to be ambitious. Therefore, they should be encouraged to explore new opportunities and keep pace with the changing world. Parents may try to convince them that they should not rely on shortcuts for fame and success but work hard and embrace challenges so they may achieve success through struggle. In any field they choose, they should not simply chase grades but acquire real knowledge. Here, parents should try to instill in them a strong sense of commitment.

Of late, the use of social media amongst the youth has increased manifold. Consequently, this has increased parents’ responsibilities significantly. There is a lot of fake content on various social media platforms. It is, therefore, the parents’ responsibility to protect the youth from the adverse effects of fake content. They have to balance screen time with physical activities to promote a healthy digital lifestyle. Monitoring should be coupled with open conversations and setting limits.

The youth are required to understand the nature of life. Life is tough and competitive; it is not a bed of roses, nor is it full of thorns. It is full of ups and downs. It’s like an endless ocean. We are sailing in a boat and want to touch the shore. We must stay determined and try our best to reach our destination. If we quit making an effort, we will never get what we want and those who get what they want, will never stop trying for it.

Islam places great emphasis on the role of youth in shaping a prosperous future, recognising their po­­tential for development and efficiency. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) in his wisdom, is said to have advised youngsters to make the most of their youth, health, wealth, free time, and life itself. According to a hadith, the Prophet said: “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.” This guidance aligns with modern scientific understanding, which acknowledges the vitality and innovation of young minds.

The Holy Quran mentions the story of the People of the Cave (Ashab-i-kahf) — a group of devout youth who sought Allah’s help at the time of difficulties. They wanted to escape religious persecution; this is an example for all youths of how to surmount difficulties in life. The youth are facing major challenges today. They have to struggle and remain steadfast in their faith, for struggle itself is the meaning of life and there is no escape.

Dawn (Pakistan) / ANN