World AIDS Day

TEEN MUSINGS

K. Annapoorna

Today people are aware of HIV/AIDS but are still not ready to accept the importance of implementing what they know about precaution and prevention measures. The awareness about the importance of safe sex is also increasing.

It would be  more effective if youth can spread the message not only about AIDS but also about responsible behaviour to other youth. During adolescence, moving with the opposite  sex gains importance. It is okay to move, but you should draw your own boundaries. If you talk about drug addiction,  peer pressure  plays an important role. Most drug addicts say they get the kick  out of it. They begin by experimenting as a  gang but get hooked eventually. Moreover, I feel that many youngsters today do not like to take on responsibilities. Some feel that they should reach great heights but do not like to work hard. For them, the whole mode of studying, looking for a  career  etc is stressful and they feel the need for something relaxing. Hence they take to habits like drugs, experimenting with sex etc. This usually happens to the guys.

Parents should play an important role in the lives of their children during this period and monitor what their children are up to. Many youth feel that their parents are not  quite open. Therefore,  guys take time out with  their friends with whom they can talk and discuss. The usual answer from friends who are questioned about their behaviour is , ‘ we don’t get peace at home.’ Parents should clearly outline the  dos and don’ts  and counsel their children.  

Dushyanth

Apart from the overall awareness steps taken by the government which is quite well, I feel  that we must take steps for self improvement  by creating  individual attention. More people should talk about AIDS in a manner that is appealing to the youth. We will be making a great mistake if we add the subject to the curriculum. I remember how in school, Disaster Management was included in the curriculum and the students detested. This will only make a mockery of the subject. We must go down to the level of the students to reach the message. To create awareness among the youth, one must look at the issue from the students’ perspective.

Also, colleges  and schools should not be closed to the idea of  boys  and girls interacting with one another.  It is unnatural to curb interaction with the other gender and  does a lot of harm. One problem  among the youth is peer pressure, due to which habits like  drug, smoking etc are cultivated. I feel that the parents should keep an eye over  the child  and teach him what is right and what is wrong. They should also make sure his friends don’t get to him . As important it is for the youth to be careful about selecting friends, it is all the more important for the parent to be really careful about his friends.
For spreading mass awareness, it is sufficient if a  handful of students are educated. They will in turn spread it to the other youths. Youngsters do not like preaching either from the family or outside. But they are receptive if the message comes from other youths.

Sharanya

Today most people are aware about AIDS due to intense media campaigning and the youth are no exception. Most students in colleges and schools seem to be aware of the problem of HIV/AIDS in the cities. But I am not too sure about the youth in the rural areas. May be more awareness about the intricacies involved must be created to prevent the spread of AIDS in the rural areas.  

Individually our attitude and approach toward AIDS should change. I think the first step towards stopping the spread of AIDS starts there- at the individual level.

Our college arranged for an interactive session with people living with AIDS. They seemed normal and no different from any of us. None of us who interacted with them felt any inhibitions . Hence, I feel there should not be any stigma or discrimination toward these people. But on a positive note, today we can see that they are being more accepted and the stigma is coming down.  

Sureka

The increase in the number of AIDS in recent times is definitely alarming especially  to realize that India is one of the few countries in the world that has the highest population of AIDS patients.  One thing people should do is  to educate themselves about proper facts about AIDS and not relate sex as the only cause of AIDS. World AIDS Day should not be the only day for people to think about AIDS. Every day action should be taken  by the people  to educate  and to spread awareness  and help the victims to mould their lives. This will ensure  a healthier and happier universe.