The last time I attempted to write something concerning youth, I think I managed to upset a number of people. I apologize sincerely to those people and only hope that I do not upset anyone in this attempt. Obviously, however, this article is a completely subjective view. I do not and cannot possibly speak for all Scottish youth or, more widely, for all European youth.

Music is a big part of my life and so I have used some lyrics in this article. Music has always been a popular medium with which to express ideas, emotions and beliefs. By using these lyrics, I hope the ideas that I am expressing on paper may be reinforced and perhaps better understood.

I

Del Amitri: Twist
‘So you suck on the juice of youth and use any chemical you can get
You get deeper in debt every step you take on your ladder of lifelessness’
Being Somebody Else

These words ring true in the ears of many young people in Scotland. Times are hard. Great Britain is only just coming out of a deep recession. As always, healing takes time. We all have to be patient and, as Christian teaching indicates, help each other to come through the struggle. We must learn from our mistakes and try to resolve the problems of the past and present. What better way to do that than to educate young people, encourage them and guide them?

In reality, however, things are not so straightforward. More often than not, young people are blamed for many of the problems in the world today. Certainly, if we are not blamed, then we are at least accused of not helping matters. Crime increases... young people are responsible. A 16-year-old girl dies from taking Ecstasy... the young people of today are so irresponsible. Richard leaves university with ,4,000 in debts... how can these young people possibly squander so much money during four years of study? I make no excuses for the small number of young people who are to blame for their criminal, violent, irresponsible actions, but not every young person can be held responsible for the actions of this minority. Surely, there is no justice in that.

Perhaps society is to blame. We do feel the pressure. There are expectations. There are certain ways of doing things. There are unwritten rules. If we do not conform to what society wants of us, then we are regarded as problematic. But what exactly does society want from us? As recounted in the Bible, there are both good and bad paths that may be followed. We have to choose. No one is perfect, as even Adam and Eve showed, and therefore mistakes will be made. Young people are naturally the most vulnerable. After all, it is through experience that we learn. It is only logical then that older generations should have a responsibility to young people to educate and share with them their experiences of life.

II

How many times have I heard the expression: ‘Oh, the youth of today - they’re nothing but trouble’? Too many times! Do we deserve to be branded ‘trouble’? The way I see it, young people currently have an identity crisis. Like so many people, communities, nations today, we are unsure of our identity. Who are we? How do we fit into this world? What purpose do we serve?

Young people are new life. We must be prepared to learn. We must communicate and fully understand each others’ languages. We must embrace the spirit that we have as young people. Young people have a responsibility to the older generations to listen and help find solutions to the problems surrounding us in daily life. We bring hope to the world.

Education is the key to justice. Without education, and therefore through ignorance, chaos reigns, prejudice is rife, injustices are bound to occur. With increased knowledge and understanding people should be able to relate to one another much more easily and fewer problems should then arise. We need to take the time to listen to and help the people around us. Patience is a virtue.

Patience to listen will lead to better understanding and consequently the extent of the problems will be realized and hopefully the chains of injustice will be broken. After all, young people are not the only ones crying out to be heard.

As I mentioned earlier, many people, communities and nations have an identity crisis. With the break up of a family, people become confused, scared, unsure where they belong. It is a distressing time for all concerned. The plight of the Palestinians in search of their homeland shows the problem of identity for an entire community. The idea of Europe is going to jeopardize the identities of many nations. It does not matter whether you are an individual or a part of a group of individuals, identity is important.

The famous ill-feeling between the Scots and the English is also the result of an identity crisis, but perhaps an identity crisis of a different nature. The Scots know who they are. They are proud of who they are and they wish to remain so. They do not wish to stand behind the English, but beside them. Although, I must admit, if we are talking about rugby, then we want to stand on top of them!

Yes, I am proud to be Scottish. I have a little difficulty with that, however, as I have an English accent because my parents are English. It is a challenge trying to convince people that I am actually born and bred Scottish, but I am sure of my identity and proud like the lion.

Everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging. We are who we are and we should not have to hide any part of that. Those who are quick to say I am English, should stop, listen and learn who I really am.

It does not matter how many times I say it, it is vital that we listen. Too often people forget that the art of communication is a two-way process: talking and listening. One is no good without the other. So, instead of talking at young people, perhaps it is time to sit back and listen. What do young people have to say about the world? We have voices too! That is perhaps the greatest injustice we suffer: young people are not given sufficient time to be heard.

III

Runrig: Searchlight
"Tear down these walls
All men were born the same
You came here with nothing
But naked and a name
A name
Tear down these walls
They keep raising for you"
Tear Down These Walls

New life is innocent and ideally we would all remain that way. However, the path of life is far from easy. It is difficult sometimes to see the good amongst so much evil. Chains of injustice seize us daily. These walls of injustice are obstacles in our path. As young people, though, we are at an advantage. We see the world through new and perhaps clearer eyes. We should bring a certain freshness to everything with which we are concerned. Our views are perhaps more objective. Surely our observations and opinions count for something. At least, nothing can be lost if we are allowed to express our ideas and concerns.

Unfortunately, when people are not heard, certain negative consequences come to the fore. People become frustrated, and this frustration can turn to anger and resentment. Young people particularly are then prone to take these emotions and demonstrate publicly the injustice that binds them. This is exactly the reason why French students continue to protest and hold numerous strikes. They are fighting for improvement in the all-important system of education. Striking is their way of trying to break the chains of injustice.

Of course, people react differently to injustice, but in some way or other they will rebel against it, whether this be verbally or physically. It is certainly right to react against injustice, but I think most people would agree that violence is often not a good solution. Once again, it comes down to communication. Bad communication, or no communication at all, leads to misunderstanding and ignorance, which in turn leads to problems and injustice. The importance of being able to listen, reflect and discuss rationally cannot be emphasized enough.

For me, the two most important ideas in the struggle to break the chains of injustice are education and communication. It would seem that both education and communication are growing even more important, especially in places like Great Britain where people are trying to regain political and economic stability. The young people of Great Britain face fierce competition at the end of their studies to find employment. The number of unemployed is disturbingly high. Therefore, an extremely good education is the order of the day. Also, as young people try to find work in the new Europe, a good manner of communicating is invaluable. Young people today must be ambitious and determined in order to survive in this world, where many chains of injustice wait to burden them.

IV

The church has an important role to play in both education and communication. After all, religion is a medium through which we can educate and communicate. To a certain degree, the church has authority and therefore it must have an influence in the world. The fact that the church is a type of organization means that there must be communication, and the Bible, giving Christian teaching, is the church’s way of education. All the ingredients are there for the church to have a strong and healthy existence. Yet there are weaknesses. Although God created us, we are far from being perfect. As a result, our methods of communication and education are not always perfect. Intentions may be good, but not everything runs as smoothly as planned. Nonetheless, the church is in an ideal position to listen and help people, especially young people.

The church can set an example, just as Jesus did. ‘People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked him. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."’ (Lk 18.15-17). Jesus was prepared to accept young people and spend time with them. So, the church should show too that it is willing to give time to young people. Fortunately, the Reformed churches have now woken up to this fact and are beginning to show their support for young people. Their initiative is commendable, but if Jesus has been encouraging this support from the very beginning, then there should never have been a moment when young people doubted the church’s support. I cannot help but feel that young people have been somewhat let down by the church. Admittedly, this does not apply only to the church but to society as a whole.

Young people have begun to feel despondent and somewhat apathetic. We need to feel a sense of belonging and the church can give us that. Young people are not all ‘trouble’. There are perhaps a few who need more guidance than others; such as the younger son in the parable of the lost son. But, as the parable teaches, we are all precious in God’s eyes. Perhaps young people simply need a little extra attention. After all, how many times are we told that young people are the future? That is right, we are the future. We must take on that responsibility now, but we cannot do it alone, we need the help of older generations. Let us listen to them, let them listen to us, and let us be the true hope for the future.

V

Runrig: Amazing Things
‘Forever you’ll be eyes of blue
In the circle of your youth
Picking every blade of truth
Down the Newton road.’
Forever Eyes of Blue

With effective and precise Christian teaching and guidance this is how every young person should remain. ‘When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him’ (Lk 2.39-40). Jesus grew, nourished by the word of God. He knew the truth. He knew good from bad. After all, he had the best teacher.

My parish is relatively small, being at the ‘gateway’ to the Scottish Highlands. However, we still have a Sunday school for the younger children. Sunday school is an important part within the Church of Scotland. It is an important part of bringing children up in the ways of God and the church, as their baptism promises. During teenage years, Bible classes take over from Sunday school, and the level of teaching corresponds more with age and the ability to understand. We are then encouraged to think about taking first communion and being confirmed as a member of the church. Of course, confirmation is probably the most important decision concerning the church that you are likely to make as a young person. It shows that you are ready to acknowledge the promises made for you at baptism and accept totally the church. It means that you have a responsibility to the church, but the church also has a responsibility to you. The church should be something steadfast; something you can rely on in your life. As a young person, you should be able to feel that you can depend upon the church to support and encourage you.

A fundamental breakthrough for young people in the Church of Scotland came when it was decided that a Youth Assembly should be held in Edinburgh in April 1994. The event was a tremendous success. At last, we had a proper forum in which young people could express themselves. We had discussions on a variety of topics: from missionaries to homosexuality; from finance to abortion; from homelessness to euthanasia. The debates were sometimes fierce, as more and more people decided to stand up and say what they thought and felt. Everything was considered seriously and, as at the general assembly, each motion had to be passed or changed and voted upon. The assembly was definitely worthwhile.

I am so pleased to have recently heard that the Church of Scotland is planning already two more Youth Assemblies - one in 1997 and one in the year 2000. Thank you to the Church of Scotland for taking the words, feelings and concerns of the young people from its member churches seriously, and for acting upon some of our ideas. We only want to show that we can be responsible and are more than willing to help the church secure a hopeful future.

VI

While the church is truly beginning to accept the situation of young people, I am really not sure whether anyone else is taking much notice. As state grants for university go down and we are encouraged to take out student loans instead, it would seem that the government of Great Britain does not intend to do much to ease the chains of injustice that young people find themselves facing today. The message that I presume we are supposed to take from this gesture is not very encouraging for young people. Finding your feet in life after studying and gaining your well-earned degree is surely hard enough without having huge debts hanging over your head as well. This is only one example, but the pressures on young people are almost limitless.

Life is hard. There are temptations at every corner. There are so many distractions. There are good and bad ways - good and bad people. Young people are simply asking for a helping hand now and then, not a blind eye or a kick in the teeth. Being as we are the future, please listen to us and help us now to bring a brighter future, without all these chains of injustice, for the young people of the next generations.

Finally, may I thank WARC very much for this opportunity to write about my ideas and concerns surrounding young people. It is this kind of encouragement that so many young people are crying out for. We all need support and the occasional bit of encouragement. Our individual and collective identities will always be important but still need to be acknowledged every now and again. We really need to feel that sense of true belonging.

Thank you.

Nicola Parkins of the Church of Scotland is studying French and Spanish at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.