Are Young People Today More Irresponsible?

On Sunday 11 October, the Mwepesi English Club talked about a sentence we hear in almost every family in Kolwezi: "Young people today are not like we were!"

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT Many parents say they have a fear of going out at night. They hear stories of violence on the radio and on WhatsApp, and they think the new generation has lost respect and good values.

But is it really worse today? The police now record more crime, phones share every incident in minutes, and victims are more willing to report crime. These changes may account for part of the increase. There is also good news: in some countries, there is a trend for young people to consume less alcohol than before, because of a combination of factors (price, health, studies, sport and new interests). In Kolwezi too, many young people work hard to pay for school or to help their families.

WORDS WE LEARNED • have a fear of: to feel afraid that something bad may happen • violence: behaviour that hurts people or damages things • willing: ready and happy to do something • account for: to explain something or give a reason for it • trend: a general direction in which a situation is changing • consume: (formal) to eat or drink • a combination of factors: several different things that together cause something

THE DEBATE Motion: "Young people today are more irresponsible than their parents were at the same age." • Do phones and social media make young people less responsible, or just different? • Is it fair to judge a whole generation by the actions of a few? • When young people behave badly, who is responsible: the young people, their parents or society?

What do you think? Come and share your opinion at the Club.

Join us! The Club meets every Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm (16h–18h) at CS Les Bourgeons, 4th Avenue (Lufira), Biashara, Kolwezi. It's free and open to all levels, from A2 to C2. Call or WhatsApp: +243 970 400 321

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