A recent upsurge in violence among teenagers has reached a dangerous level with many carrying knives, cleavers and daggers to use during fights. Sociologists, psychologists, and other professionals have said the spread of this dangerous behavior can be linked to a lack of parental supervision as well as the failure of social, educational and security institutions, Al-Riyadh reported. Many arguments end with minor crimes or murders when arguments spin out of control as teenagers use their knives to take out their angst on their victims. In one recent example, a fight between five teenagers in two cars at a traffic light in Dammam ended with the death of one of the boys. As the argument began to get heated, two of the teenagers got out of their car and, in the middle of traffic, stabbed one of the teenagers in the other car in his chest killing him instantly. The two teenagers were arrested by the police shortly afterwards. Another similar incident occurred when a group of teenagers attacked another teenager after speaking to him on their mobile phones several times. They met him, killed him and robbed him of his valuables. He was left dead in his car which was where the police discovered his body. One problem with the frequent fights is that they have become commonplace at intermediate and secondary schools across the Kingdom. Shoura Council member, Abdullah Barjs Al-Douwasri, said “bloody fights between young people occur all over the world, but they are more noticeable in less-educated societies.” He also said parents are to blame because instead of trying to solve the problem, they make it worse. “Instead of solving the problem amicably and judiciously, parents pour fuel on the fire. They instigate their sons to take revenge.” Instead, he said, parents should teach their sons the value of solving a problem using tolerance and forgiveness so that they can avoid situations which can end tragically. Brigadier Ahmad Al-Qahtani spokesman for the Dammam Police said that children in their teenage years are changing physiologically and psychologically “which makes them feel more mature and self-dependant, which is why many parents monitor their children less.” “At this age, they can fall prey to trouble-making youths who fill their minds with misconceptions and dangerous ideas, which if their parents were paying attention would be avoided.” Al-Qahtani said carrying knives is not justifiable, even for self-defense. It is the job of the security authorities to look after the safety of society, otherwise the world would turn into a jungle, he said. One major problem, Al-Qahtani says, is the way in which parents spoil their children because it affects the way they behave, “it is a poisonous love.” Khaled Al-Bedawi, an educational supervisor in the Eastern Province, said the educational system is equally important in helping mold behavior. “Educational institutions play a significant role in shaping a youngster's behavior. Therefore they need to come up with programs that will help build a youngster's skills and personality as well,” he said. “If they are instilled with a sense of dialogue, they will be less likely to resort to violence to solve their problems.” Another major problem Al-Bedawi said was the issue of teenagers being surrounded by bad friends. “During their teenage years, boys will intimidate each other. If their friends are good and disciplined, then they will follow their friends behavior. Most of the poor influence comes from the people teenagers surround themselves with, but in the end a lack of family observation can lead children to become delinquents,” Al-Bedawi said. – Al
