01 Apr 2013

Parents have been urged to take responsibility and guide their children to become responsible citizens who could account for their actions.

Speaking at a panel discussion to wrap up the Month of Youth Against AIDS (MYAA) in Francistown, a Botswana Accountancy College student, Mr Koziba Sebina said adults should refrain from accusing the youth that they were out of control due to the changing world, technological advancement and legislation.

Mr Sebina said since from the past, parents were not open in discussing sex but were good at lecturing children on abstinence. He said today’s parents were failing to address their children on best ways to prevent HIV and AIDS infection.

He therefore implored parents to retrace their responsibilities and adopt information sharing with their children in order to build a partnership that would be beneficial for both parties.

Meanwhile, Tatitown Customary Court president, Ms Ludo Mosojane noted that as much as parents have gone through the transition from being youth and growing to become parents, they should put into practice what they have learnt during their transition.

Ms Mosojane said youth adult partnership was possible and crucial for among other things, partnership in the fight against AIDS as well as towards getting to zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths.

She said it would not be possible if the vision of the youth conflicts with that of adults as it appears to be the case currently.

Ms Mosojane mentioned that in most instances the youth have decided to adopt modern lifestyles that have placed tremendous pressure on their choices. She also noted that the majority of youth nowadays resist the guidance of their parents.

She further stated that for the youth adult partnership to be achieved, it should be based on tried and tested principles which can drive the nation towards an HIV free generation.

She, nonetheless, said that society needed commitment to ensure that zero infection could be achieved. ENDS