Tien Herawati: Religious Education and Communication to Reduce Juvenile Delinquency
RRI Dialogue
According to the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) in 2010 some studies reveal that 51 percent among adolescents in the Greater Jakarta have engaged in premarital sexual activities. Even in other regions in Indonesia, premarital sex have also been practiced by teenagers, for example, in Surabaya by 54 percent, in Bandung by 47 percent, and in Medan by 52 percent.
"Good personal communication between mother and children represents the best approach to preventing juvenile delinquency. Religious education is very important in the balance of child development. Communication won’t be carried out only at home, but also at school and their mileu," stated Tien Herawati, SP.M.Si., in Radio Dialogue at RRI Bogor, with presenter, Dita Maharani, on 30 November 2010, at RRI Bogor.
According to her, school communication might be developed if the communication within the students and teachers or guardians effectively interwoven, or in monitoring student progress. In addition, explaining students who are considered to have educational problems or improving the role counselor for them will also develop school communication.
Adolescence is a period to which a human being confused, always curious and looking for their identities themselves. If nobody guide and direct his life, it would be fatal for him. One of the very important role in this period is his parents," he said.
He said that juvenile delinquency is currently a complex one, in addition, the impact of globalization enable them to access to information they need through the Internet or mobile phones easily. That is why all elements such as families, schools, friends, government have to work together to take care their children , give guidance and direct them to live the good life. Explain kindly the impact they would have if they do bad habits," she stated.
Nowadays, most parents are too busy, therefore even with their children who live under one roof, they rarely have opportunities to meet each other. What do you think about such condition, what roles the fathers and mothers should play in such family? Tien suggested that parents should put balance between working time and time for their children.
Attention should not be formulated by face to face, but by tele-communication between each other probably by phone from the offices, or authorized someone or probably the babysitter of the guardian to replace the position of their parents while they are away" said Tien Herawati.
According to her, the best approach to preventing juvenile delinquency, is to intensify family communication without neglecting the religious education. (Wied).