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SCMP Reporter

Twenty years ago, Hong Kong was already on its way to prosperity.

   People would rush to work every day but it was still hard for them to maintain their standard of living.

   Even children would go to work, doing jobs like shining shoes or selling newspapers.

  They knew their families were desperately in need of the extra cash.

  Some of them even quit school, leaving educational opportunities for their younger brothers and sisters.

  Study was a privilege for the rich.

  They had to learn early to stand on their own two feet. No matter how tough the situation was, they had to get through.

  Compared with the past, the new generation is fortunate.

  Not only do youngsters of today enjoy a comfortable life, with lots of material luxuries, they also have better education opportunities.

  But despite being fortunate in so many ways, there are still problems today for young people - runaways, prostitution, casual sex, involvement in triads and perhaps most disturbing, child suicide.

  Another problem is that parents these days are very wrapped up with their work or businesses.

  Many have little time to discuss their children's problems.

  And the generation gap seems to be becoming wider and wider, causing a breakdown in family relationships.

  Because of this lack of interaction between parents and children, children begin to feel that their parents do not care about them.

  To make matters worse, youngsters fail to see that their parents are actually making great sacrifices to earn a living.

  They experience conflict with their parents and can become uncontrollable.

  The situation can get so bad that children become used to living in conflict and they never get to know the meaning of a happy and loving home.

  Take me as an example.

   At one stage, I encountered several emotional problems, low achievement at school, peer pressure, problems with romance. You name it . . .

  And unfortunately, every time I turned to my parents, they were never there for me.

  At first, I was very disappointed and thought they were turning their backs on me.

  I even accused them of being irresponsible.

  Fortunately, I noticed how calloused their hands were.

  And that began to make me realise that they had been working so hard for the benefit of my future.

  Since then, I have begun to spend more time on my studies and am looking forward to going to university.

  Today's new generation enjoys the good things in life.

   We no longer face the poverty of the old days.

  Don't forget that there is no time to waste in this fast world.

  Try to do well, try to better yourself and always keep an eye on the opportunities which are ahead. Kacee is a student of Maria College 



No time to waste!