By Joshua Corcuera
Some people say that young people should not intervene or involve themselves in serious issues, or what some call as usapang matatanda. And aside from this, some grown-ups would seem to underestimate the youth’s capability to help others as well as their capacity to bring real change. They would argue that children and teenagers still have a lot to learn, and have still a lot to experience before being involved in social issues. As the maxim goes, marami ka pang kakaining bigas. But, in recent years, the opposite is true, and gone were the days where one must be a grown-up to leave an impact on society. The youth can certainly change the country — if they want to.
Beyond doubt, the youth can change society
Here in the modern world, the youth is already capable of changing society. Recently, just like it has always been, significant social issues have affected the world — from climate change to attacks on freedom. And as these problems soared, the youth played a crucial role as they made their voices heard on the streets.
In dealing with climate change, 17-year-old environmental activist Greta Thunberg marched on her native Sweden resulting in widespread protests by the Fridays for Future — an international movement demanding action from leaders to tackle climate change. While in embattled Hong Kong, students are among the millions who protested against the Extradition Bill last year as they fear mainland China’s increasing influence over the semi-autonomous island. And in Thailand, as of now, students are also leading the charge in questioning the monarchy and demanding democratic reforms as a military junta holds on to power.
Regardless of the outcome, the fact that the youth can make themselves heard is sufficient enough to deduce that they can impact society. Moreover, a much more socially aware and active youth is actually positive news, because it implies that the nation’s future care of what is happening in society and the path humanity is going to.
An apathetic youth is detrimental to society
Speaking frankly, the youth should not be apathetic or uninterested in what is happening to the world around them in spite of the fact that grown-ups tend to invalidate their voice. This can be observed right now in the world in general, and more especially, Philippine society in particular. Certainly, it’s exhausting for the young to keep on explaining their side to older people. As the pilot in Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince said while recalling a disheartening moment during his childhood, grown-ups never understand anything for themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.
Although we should not invalidate the opinion of grown-ups as well, it is essential for them to listen and understand the youth. After all, the future is within the hands of the young men and women of society. More importantly, the youth should keep on fighting and speaking for what they believe is the best in attaining a bright future, no matter what others say. It is worthy to take note that when the youth become grown-ups, they should also listen and understand the voice of the next generation just like what they hoped for their elders in their youth. To mention another quote from The Little Prince, all grown-ups were once children, but only a few of them remember it.
The youth is the future, and the present, of society
We often encounter the phrase that the youth is the hope of the nation or that the youth is the nation’s future. In reality, though, the youth can already have a tremendous impact on society at present based on the movements they help shape mentioned earlier. And for the Filipino youth, they are also capable of changing Philippine society at present, especially in 2022 when the country will go out to the polls to elect a new president for the next six years.
According to COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, there are approximately 32.9 million voters who are under 40 years old which is more than half of the electorate. If these people, or even just half of it, voted as one — chances are those whom they voted for will win. Take note that former President Noynoy Aquino won in 2010 with about 15 million votes, while his successor, incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, won with at least 16 million votes.
With this in mind, the Filipino youth is capable of making themselves heard in the present to shape the future. Henceforth, it is important to listen and to support the youth, especially if one truly wants a better future. It is essential to reiterate the saying that the youth is the future of the nation, or in Filipino, ang kabataan ang kinabukasan ng bayan.
