Growing Up Too Fast

<< Warning: For ages 13+ >>

The following content discusses topics of a sensitive nature and are unsuitable for children. Read at your own risk.

Man Abused 4 of his Daughters and Assaulted His Son

I have been coming across plenty of news articles about paedophiles and incest lately and am distraught by the fact that such incidents are even happening in my country. Firstly, what frustrates me is the lack of parental guidance and supervision in some instances e.g. parents being unaware that their spouse is abusing the child and/or they have not built a strong foundation of trust with their child such that their child ends up in a secretive and exploitative relationship. Secondly, it is the audacity and means with which one would use to satisfy their own curiosity and urges. Thirdly, there are the keyboard warriors who blame the education system for this mess really grind my gears.

To the children and youths, I am sorry to say that you live in a globalised world where you are exposed to adult content way too early in life and grow up too quickly for your own good. Some of you are already confused about your gender and sexuality and that leads to even more mental health issues down the road. Why is it necessary to even put labels on yourself in the first place? Nobody is ever the same person throughout their life anyway. People change and grow. One day, you might like the colour pink, and the next, blue. What doesn't really change much would be your values and what you truly value in life. Throw away those labels. You are a complex and unique individual who is still a work in progress, but made by a loving Creator.

Are you worried that you are unwanted? Fret not. You are wanted by plenty of killer whales in the sea who just want to have fun with you but don't care about your well-being or future. So, take your time to be selective about your choice of partner. It is better to be single than to end up in a toxic relationship that can wreak emotional havoc and cause you great insecurity. Those who pressure you to give in to sex should trigger your Killer Whale alarm bells. Swim, swim as far as you can from such people. You can contract lifelong STDs through sexual transmissions. (Are you ready to commit yourself to lifelong medication and treatment just to satisfy your curiosity or pleasure?) Keep yourself pure for your future spouse. Your future self and/or partner will thank you for it.

My main advice to youths would be to keep yourself gainfully occupied with your studies and hobbies as you work towards achieving excellence in character, communication and self-reliance. These are some of the factors that can drive a relationship (whether a familial or romantic one) into ruin. If you intend to find a lifelong partner, it would be good to know qualities you admire in a person and your boundaries/deal breakers before entering a relationship. Relationships are tough and require much compromise and sacrifice. The rose-tinted glasses will eventually come off and reality will set in as you discover the rough edges of a person as you spend life together. As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child." Don't expect your partner to be the village for you. Continue to maintain healthy family and friend relationships and do the activities that spark joy for you. There is much more to life than sex. That said, sex is best experienced in a marriage with a committed, loving spouse. Don't let liberal societal norms ruin that for you.