The percentage of kids between 12 and 14 yrs old who haven't had sex is much lower than those who have. By the age of 12 these youth are being sent out to the streets because most parents say they are old enough to take care of themselves. 16 year olds can be served fags (cigarettes) in a restaurant, but can't buy them until they are 18, so by the age of 11 they are smoking with their friends. Eight-teen is the legal drinking age, but like most teenagers (anywhere not just Ireland) they get it from their older friends.
Why do they do all this??
Because there is nothing for them to do and it rains 150 days out of the year on the South and East coast and 225 days on the West coast, so that is close to half the year and even though they are used to it, the youth especially, don't like it. Here in the states we have after school programs, after school jobs, after school sports ALL year long. Most of us are driving by the age of 16, but in Ireland you don't get your license until you're 18 years old. Ireland really doesn't have anything like the states for their youth especially in the smaller towns like New Ross, so the youth are left with nothing to do but run the streets smoking, drinking, have sex and shifting. Shifting was a fun one to learn about, basically two teenagers plan to meet, make out and then decide (based on the kiss) whether they will date or not. Oh, and they also like to fight and when you ask them why, they all say 2 things; I'm Irish that's what we do and there is nothing else to do.
They all want to come to America because they think life is better (even though in my opinion they have it better in Ireland). In a way you could say life is better over here. You can go where you please and worship as you please (for the most part), there is more for our youth to do. In Ireland 85% of the people are Roman Catholic. Even if they don't practice Catholicism, they are Catholic. Because to be Irish is to be Catholic and to be Catholic is to be Irish. I know several people who grew up Catholic and converted to Christianity 4 maybe 5 years ago and their family disowned them and didn't talk to them for 2 years. If they are Catholic than most are closed off to the idea of another religion, but they also can't understand going to church, but not having all the traditions that the Catholic church has. While in Ireland a lot of the youth we met were searching and asking a lot of questions. Seeds were planted so be praying for them.
It breaks my heart and this is why the Rock was started, to give them something positive to do. Right now the Rock is only open 2 weeks out of the year, but in September a team is going to New Ross to open it full time. Please be praying for them.
Why do they do all this??
Because there is nothing for them to do and it rains 150 days out of the year on the South and East coast and 225 days on the West coast, so that is close to half the year and even though they are used to it, the youth especially, don't like it. Here in the states we have after school programs, after school jobs, after school sports ALL year long. Most of us are driving by the age of 16, but in Ireland you don't get your license until you're 18 years old. Ireland really doesn't have anything like the states for their youth especially in the smaller towns like New Ross, so the youth are left with nothing to do but run the streets smoking, drinking, have sex and shifting. Shifting was a fun one to learn about, basically two teenagers plan to meet, make out and then decide (based on the kiss) whether they will date or not. Oh, and they also like to fight and when you ask them why, they all say 2 things; I'm Irish that's what we do and there is nothing else to do.
They all want to come to America because they think life is better (even though in my opinion they have it better in Ireland). In a way you could say life is better over here. You can go where you please and worship as you please (for the most part), there is more for our youth to do. In Ireland 85% of the people are Roman Catholic. Even if they don't practice Catholicism, they are Catholic. Because to be Irish is to be Catholic and to be Catholic is to be Irish. I know several people who grew up Catholic and converted to Christianity 4 maybe 5 years ago and their family disowned them and didn't talk to them for 2 years. If they are Catholic than most are closed off to the idea of another religion, but they also can't understand going to church, but not having all the traditions that the Catholic church has. While in Ireland a lot of the youth we met were searching and asking a lot of questions. Seeds were planted so be praying for them.
It breaks my heart and this is why the Rock was started, to give them something positive to do. Right now the Rock is only open 2 weeks out of the year, but in September a team is going to New Ross to open it full time. Please be praying for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment