Paper Examples on Social Issues

Poverty Affects Young People

Youths are affected by poverty in Papua New Guinea

Extreme poverty is defined as being extremely poor. There are many causes, such as lack of employment, poverty, poor living conditions, bad morals or habits, overpopulation and endemic disease. More than 80% the world’s population is affected by poverty. Poverty is a major problem for youths aged between 15-24. Poverty is a major factor that forces youths in developing countries, particularly in the unindustrialized areas, to engage in illegal activities such as petty trade, theft, pickpocketing and prostitution. The majority of those affected are from developing nations (Shah 2013).

Papua New Guinea, a country with a rich diversity of languages and cultures, is a result of the topography. PNG is mostly covered in dense rainforest, which covers steep mountains. This makes it difficult for people to move around, and therefore ideas, to spread. Individual social groups were able to isolate themselves from one another, which accelerated their development in different directions. Wantoks are the primary means of maintaining cultural identity. The wantok system is a long-standing informal association that has survived for many years. It interacts in a variety of complex ways with the hybrid social, political and economic structures still in place in Papua New Guinea. PNG boasts a rich natural resource base, including gold and copper, as well as oil, cocoa, and gas. PNG still falls into the category of one of Asia’s poorest countries. The basic services, as well as the development of PNG are in decline. The result is poverty. Poverty in rural and urban areas is common. It is, therefore, one of our main factors in holding back the development of our country. A staggering 37 percent live below national poverty lines (United Nations Development Programe, 2018).

The traditional values of the society and the focus on family based care make it hard for people to admit poverty. The traditional system of support has been broken down. Those with more resources have always supported those who are in need. In Papua New Guinea’s modern day, life for the poor is difficult. The poverty robs them of their dignity and potential. In some cases it even takes their lives. The cultural meanings of being male or female, as well as race and ethnicity, function to organize society (Tuyizere 2007).

Poverty is a major problem for many youths, and it contributes to high mortality rates. Many youths are affected by poverty, unemployment and low literacy. They engage in crime, such as prostitution and robbery. This can lead to death and ill health. The indicator remains the same despite recent government initiatives such as the Free Education Plan and the National Health Plan for 2011-2020.

Poverty is a major factor in creating an imbalanced society. This leads to unemployed, homeless people and ultimately crime. Most people are involved in crimes because they roam the streets looking for valuable items to sell. Because they can’t afford to pay for basic needs such as food, shelter, education and health, our youth are more likely to engage in criminal activities. Because they are not equipped with the necessary skills, young people cannot be considered for vacancies. The youth are the fastest-growing segment of any society. It is therefore important to understand their challenges. (Okojie, 2003).

Our country does not have enough employment opportunities to support its citizens. Many of our indigenous Papua New Guineans, especially the young ones, are illiterate or unemployed. These youths believe that they will only be able to survive if they engage in any criminal activity to satisfy their wants and needs. According to research, 600,000 Papua New Guinean children do not attend school because there are not enough teachers in the villages or the classrooms in the villages are not functional.

Education is vital in the life of every person. All people should be educated as individuals to develop their mindsets and become better citizens. It is important to educate young people in a manner that will allow them achieve their goals. This will have a positive impact on the country’s development. Our government should invest more in education and boost the system. It must also ensure that basic services and needs are provided equally to all citizens, both in urban and rural areas.

The government must recognize the importance of youth and their voices. You should allow them to voice their opinions about the future of our nation. National Youth Development Authority needs to do more for youth. PNG’s National Youth Policy and Population Policy should provide clear instructions to actors in the Aid Sector, emphasising the importance that youth participate in decisions.

Youth can be given the tools and the spaces they need to engage constructively in dialogue with policy-makers, identify the challenges that are important to them and offer solutions. This will reduce corruption and neoliberalism. They could also organise themselves to improve decision-making processes at the national level by involving political parties, private companies and civil society in order to make sure that the perspectives of youth are taken into account.

It is time to involve more youths in decision making, policy construction and programme implementation. “Development thinkers are still stuck to the old paradigm that social investment is only for the younger generation and educating them is the key to progress. Education, health and social services are not only beneficial to those who receive them, but also to the society as a whole, which is healthier, more competitive and more engaged. In a world where competition is globalized, education and learning for life are more important than ever. To meet the changing demands of society, today’s workforce has to be more productive, flexible and capable. Policies and programmes with an intergenerational focus should recognize and promote the interdependence of generations.

Author

  • freyamccarthy

    Freya McCarthy is an educational blogger and volunteer who helps improve education in developing countries. She has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a teacher in a primary school in India. Freya has a degree in education from the University of Wales and has worked in a number of different educational settings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.

freyamccarthy

Freya McCarthy is an educational blogger and volunteer who helps improve education in developing countries. She has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a teacher in a primary school in India. Freya has a degree in education from the University of Wales and has worked in a number of different educational settings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.