By PRIYA KULASAGARAN

They indulge in unacceptable activities because they pine for attention while their peers feel shackled by society's expectations of them.

Will they change and be accepted into the mainstream or will they remain rebels without a cause?

"We are the people our parents warned us about."

If the outcry of terrified parents and authorities are anything to go by, that Jimmy Buffet song lyric just might be the slogan of young people today.

With the recent reports of violent mat rempit gangs and drug-fuelled sex parties, it's hard to not think that the current generation is spiralling out of control.

While everyone is busy declaring moral degradation and playing the blame game, our teens continue to lose the plot as long-term solutions fail to materialise.

And more importantly, are our youth really beyond help?

Continuous issue

Statistics obtained from the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) indicate that in 2008, juvenile crime represented only 2% of the overall crime rate.

MCPF vice-chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Ali believes that this proves that the situation is not as out of control as it has been portrayed.

"There has been an increase compared to the previous year, but if we act now, we can definitely combat the problem."

According to him, the first approach is not to treat juvenile delinquency as a "seasonal issue."

"This mat rempit issue for instance is not an overnight phenomenon. In reality, the problem has been simmering for quite some time now.

"From the start, MCPF has been directing its efforts at reducing juvenile crime."

The case of Form Five schoolgirl Audrey Melissa Patinathan, who was raped and murdered on her way to school in May 1999, sparked the setting up of crime prevention clubs in secondary schools across the country.

There are currently 3260 clubs up and running, where students are exposed to crime prevention workshops and seminars.

"We also encourage visits by police officers to talk about the consequences of committing crime," elaborates Kamaruddin.

He adds that schools should not hesitate to discipline students, even if it requires police involvement on school grounds.

"Don't sweep the issue under the carpet for the sake of maintaining the school's reputation. It's better to tackle the problem while they are still in school."

Kamarrudin is quick to point out that parents have the biggest role to play in curbing social ills among their offspring.

"When police take action against youths, parents are all up in arms. But I've seen children as young as 10 cycling in the middle of the city past midnight - where are the parents then?"

Multi-dimensional problem

Sunway University College's School of Health and Natural Sciences head Prof Dr Teoh Hsien-Jin says that he cannot objectively state if juvenile delinquency is on the rise.

"We don't have statistics from say 100 years ago to compare with the current day situation, especially in terms of crime prevalence in proportion to the population. I'm more inclined to state that crime today has become more sophisticated."

So is there a question of moral decay when it comes to the current generation of youth?

"It may be a matter of perspective. I'm sure young people throughout history have always been involved in exploratory behaviour, but now people are going out to interview them and talk about these issues openly."

He cites the practice of teen marriages in years past as an example.

"That involves what we deem underaged sexual behaviour, but it fit into the culture and hence was acceptable."

Aside from factors of economic necessity and family background, Dr Teoh says that there are many reasons that could contribute to the rise of crime.

"Recent research from Hong Kong and Singapore show that the physical environment of a city needs to be factored in. It's no coincidence that apartments crammed with people tend to have high levels of violent crime."

He asserts that relevance of such information is crucial, as it indicates that social ills among youth should be contextualised upon society as a whole.

"It is never just about teenagers; it's how parents discipline their children, it's about school enforcing rules, it's about the community taking an active role."

Author of Cool Mom, Super Dad, Jamilah Samian thinks that parents often underestimate the influence they have over their children, especially adolescents.

"A lot of research proves that despite their outward rebellion, most teenagers value their parents' opinions," says the mother of six.

"Parents should be actively involved in their children's lives and talk to them about things like sex and drugs, while making it clear what their own beliefs are."

Conceding that battling social ills is a multi-dimensional problem, Jamilah stresses that people should not resort to knee-jerk solutions.

"Mere punishment is not effective. Young people need to internalise values and think for themselves."

Jamilah reckons that if a teen has a clear vision of who he or she wants to be in the future, he or she will not indulge in behaviour that does not fit in with that vision.

"We need to inspire our youth, give them a sense of purpose and equip them with the skills they need to cope with difficult situations. We need to teach them that life is more than just putting food on the table."

Problematic or confused?

At first glance, Marissa*, 14, nonchalantly relates tales of sneaking out with her former boyfriend whom her parents did not approve of.

"It's just a bit of fun, no big deal. I wasn't sleeping around like some of my classmates do."

Digging deeper, however, the regular youthful rebellion appears to be laced with more sinister undertones.

"He was 10 years older than me and he told me that he loved me. He said that if I loved him, I would sleep with him, and it wouldn't be wrong. I didn't want to at first, because I was scared that my parents would find out. But I gave in. He insisted on not using a condom. He dumped me the next day."

Not knowing that the incident would constitute statutory rape, Marissa has not related her story to anyone aside from a few friends.

"I'm just glad I'm not pregnant. I just want to forget all about it and move on."

Meanwhile, group of fresh-faced students encountered in Taman Tun Dr Ismail were indignant over being labelled for their love of motorcycles.

"Now we're called samseng jalanan (road thugs)," smirked one.

"Sure, there are the bad ones, who rob and steal. But I don't do those things."

Vehemently defending their innocence, the conversation is suddenly subdued when asked if any of them had a legitimate licence or took part in illegal races.

However, justifications were abound to explain why they feel the need to engage in such activities.

Ronnie* for instance, says that he feels a sense of belonging with his fellow motorcyclists.

"I feel accepted in this group, unlike how it is in school and at home."

His friend, Joe*, says that the thrill of pulling off stunts compensates for the boredom he feels.

"All week, all I look forward to are our gatherings and nights out."

Word on the street

Nirmala Ganesan, 18, says that while she does not know anyone indulging in questionable behaviour, she's heard plenty of stories making rounds in her younger sibling's school.

"I'm not sure how true these stories are though - they all sound like television soap operas!?

She adds that her real worry is not so much what students are doing, but why they chose to do what they do.

"It is as if it's just to appear adult and get attention. I don't think they can appreciate the consequences if it's not spelt out to them."

Some believe that there is simply more awareness in the current age of information.

"I'm pretty sure that there were rebels back in my parents' day, but maybe the difference is that now more attention is being paid to the issue," says Tan Yee Pin, 18.

Anyway, if adults these days are committing more crimes, why is it surprising to see kids doing the same?"

John*, 20, thinks that there would be less problems if young people were clear about their personal values.

"I do well in my studies, I'm active in social work and have a good relationship with my parents. At the same time, I've tried marijuana when I was in school and I've smoked since I was 16. But I think I have a definite sense of what is right and wrong."

Finding purpose

Describing his teenage self as "problematic", Somanathan Murugiah dropped out of college and worked as a technician to make ends meet.

Upon the persuasion of well-meaning friends, he then joined a non-governmental organisation dealing with youth-related issues.

"The responsibility given to me there fed my self-confidence. I found myself counselling young teens, using my experiences to prevent them from making the mistakes that I did."

Somanathan is now a member of the Malaysia International Youth Programme (MIYP), which was initiated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The organisation aims to provide a platform for youth to voice their opinions on current issues, including the rising rate of crime.

MIYP participant Sharifah Norizah thinks that youth-based organisations are key in discouraging young people from "disruptive behaviour".

"Our main purpose is to engage youth at the grassroots level, by running programmes that will help them better themselves and lend meaning to their lives."

* Names have been changed to protect their identity.