Introduction
When one considers the challenges and concerns of the various stages of human life, it can be argued that The Ramayana is more relevant to youth and the Beowulf is more relevant to maturity. Just like an industry or factory which processes a raw material into a finished product life is a process which begins from birth to adulthood. In life youth and maturity are some of the most interesting areas.
In a nut shell one cannot use two paragraphs nor can he fully comprehend the challenges experienced in ones youth. These challenges take a loin’s share of ones development. Since genesis youths have faced various challenges depending on the error in which they lived. The challenges they faced during the Stone Age period, differs from the challenges faced by youths in the 21st century. This is due to revolutions, inventions and advancements in the technology which have led to changes in lifestyles. Revolutions such as industrial revolution in the 17th and 18th century greatly transformed the world. This brought about changes which can be felt up to date in spite of more advancements and technology especially in information technology, infrastructure and health.
Discussion
We can see that youths have to cope with responsibilities. They should to be optimistic about their future and one has to maintain good relationship with his parents and other members of the community. The emotional responses and anxieties they display are most of the time prompted by situations they face in their lives. Some of the situations are uncontrollable and inexplicable. We can see that in The Ramayana, Rama faced a lot of problems he accepted to go with the sage where he was accompanied by his brother Lakshmana. They obeyed there father and they had vowed one day to destroy Ravana and his demons, but first they had to fight the she-demon, Tataka. They fought bravely since they wanted at the end of the battle to get back the peace they once enjoyed and most of all their lost land and property. In process of looking for the powerful Ravana they fought so many demons and Rama managed to kill the she-demon Tataka and Sage was delighted to see the efforts of Rama since he was determine to fight for his people.
Most of the youth try their best to work hard in their academic studies and everybody rejoices because of their hard work and at the end of it all they become academic heroes. We can see Rama as a hero in that he was respected by everybody in the community. He was seen as a perfect man to marry King Janaka adapted daughter Sita since he managed to show his strength and righteousness by lifting and stringing the ancient bow of Shiva. He proved he could do it in front of thousands of people who watched including several princes who didn’t manage to lift the bow before. The King declared Rama as the man to marry his daughter and a wedding ceremony was held in the Kings palace. Rama’s father Dasaratha wanted to make him a King since he felt he was becoming old. He had a lot of faith in him and he felt that he will lead the people of Ayodhya.
When most of the youths are developing they face a lot of physiological changes, during this period the only thing they think about is their friends whom they think that they can support them in which ever problem they face. They see their parents as enemies and they frequently bring a lot of shame and violence into the family. They change moods now and then causing a lot of drama in the family. They always feel that they are in control of everything and they behave in all sorts of manner. Peer influence has also made so many youth to engage in crime such as violence and robbery. Some engage in prostitution and drug abuse thinking that it’s a solution to their problems. Some end up getting unwanted pregnancies and the deadly disease AIDS. They mess their lives when they are young and growing up and trying to pick the pieces it becomes very difficult.
Most of this is cause by peer pressure. These problems are also brought about by changes in lifestyle, attending movies, discos, internet, literature, lack of proper guideline and counseling. It can also be caused by poverty, inflation and unemployment. Moreover, as a result of this the youth might end up in so many problems which will affect them for the rest of their lives. Some end up dying in the process, get life imprisonments, early parenthood and you find that they are not in a position to support themselves and some end up being school dropouts.
In the Beowulf we can see that he was seen as a great soldier and an even greater leader to his people. They respected him since he managed to kill Grendel. He became King of Heorot instead of becoming the king of his native Geat land in 1908 as a young warrior after King Hrothgar died. Hrothgar had promised to give half of this kingdom to any man who will defeat Grendel. Grendel didn’t for a single day try to touch the thrown of Hrothgar since the king was always protected by the powerful god. Grendel was so strong he made Hrothgar to leave Heorot together with his people. Beowulf was always kind to his people and he was always keen to win fame from his members of the community. He was fair-minded and also gracious and he managed to kill Grendel together with his mother.
Youths who portray their self in a mature way are always morally upright and enlightened. They have the right to fight for there fundamental rights for they are mature and they can be in a position to take care of themselves. According to the jurisdiction of the United States 14 year old cannot vote, obtain a driving license or buy alcohol. We can see again that if the same 14 year old happen to commit murder, in most of the states he could be tried as an adult. To the lawmakers they are finding it hard in deciding what age the privileges of adult membership in society should be extended to an individual. When you reach the age of adolescent stage you are mature enough to make your own decisions in your own capacity with full adult responsibility for criminal behavior.
Mature youth can engage in so many things, they can marry and have children leave their parents at their wish and leave in a different areas. Mature youth have to show maturity for they are fully grow and well developed. They have enough experience because of interacting with different people. Going to school and attending different colleges and professional institutions, meeting and socializing with different kinds of people from different races makes them grow and become better people in future. They became independent where they happen to join different Universities and different institution. They relay on themselves, work hard with devotion and determination in order to become better and respectable people in the society.
Youths who don’t perform well in whichever profession they undertake they mostly don’t end up well in future. They are seen as failures and most of the time they are not recognized by the members of the society. If they happen to prosper they becomes heroes and end up become important members of the society who are recognized not only in there countries but in the entire world. Having high standards of discipline makes one have the courage and faith in whatever he is doing. He feels confidence walking, talking and engaging in whichever activity or task he undertakes.
Mature youths who are well behaved make their parents proud. Parents feel free introducing them to the members of the society. They get a lot of support from their parents and they are likely to achieve a lot through the parents blessings. Rude and arrogant youth who look well developed and they don’t respect their parents they are most of the time surrounded by so many misfortunes. They don’t have anybody to cling to in times of problems. They are neglected and people view them as losers.
Responsible successful youth’s help not only their families but they also help a lot in the society building. We can see Beowulf fought bravely and selflessly and he managed to overcome the evils that opposed them. He forgave all of his enemies though he died in the process of trying to save his people. After his death he was buried in a barrow in Geatland by his retainers. Beowulf had a lot of respect and trust for the king; his soldiers vowed loyalty to him and joined hands together in order to win the battle.
Youth are also advised on strong and Christian virtues. If they become mature they are in a position to choose which religion they want to follow. Growing spiritually makes one strong; joining Christian youth groups’ makes youths even grow more and understanding what is happening in their daily lives. They are taught how to lives and how to cope with different situations after they arise. They build a strong faith and since they are mature enough they are able to make their own choice by choosing what is good and what is wrong. They are able to stay strong and avoid engaging in unnecessary violence.
It’s also very encouraging for the mother to treat all children equally; we can see that Kaikeyi one of the King Dasaratha’s wife she didn’t want Rama to take over the Kingship. She wanted her own son Bharata to take over the kingship since Rama was the stepson. We can also see that she convinced Dasaratha to banish his son from the kingdom for a period of less than 14 years. Rama respected his father very much; he was so obedience, good listener and followed what his father wanted. Lakshmana could not stay away from his brother and so he decided to follow him together with his wife Sita. Where they went in the forest and stayed in a place called Chitrakoot in the forest. People of Ayodhya loved Rama so much that they cried as they saw him leave the palace.
Youth are very vulnerable and easily irritated by small things. The way we handle them when they are still young is likely to determine their future. It’s advisable to correct them where we can, love them and show them that they are worth in the community. Discriminating children affect the child’s confidence, he feels he is not worth in the family and some end up committing suicide or running away from their maternal homes in order to look love and acceptance. Training them to love each other not going against each others wish, this will help them in sharing different perspectives’ in life.
Passing though different stage in human life is very challenging, the two myth story is a clear indication of how young youth go through in the process of growing up. It’s difficult but one has to persevere with whatever problem one faces and look for the best mechanisms. Listening to advises from your elders also help a lot in tackling problems. Youth have to be patient and understanding. They should avoid characters that can mislead them in doing things that are not pleasing in the society, especially interacting with friends who engage in cruel deeds such as, stealing from other people, lying and not respecting the elders. Being kind, honesty and at least being there for your friends in times of need will make you a person of integrity and your reputation will be highly recognized in the society. Seeing that Lakshmana could not leave Rama in times of problems teaches us a lot. He gave his time and they struggled together and they finally conquered the battle. Vibhishana who was Ravana’s brother could not tolerate his brother’s evil deeds so he decided to follow Rama in order to set the people free.
Conclusion
It’s always good to teach youths to be optimistic in whatever they do, they should not give up, and by attending workshops and youth seminars they will be in a better position of growing spiritually and thinking positively about life. Building their foundation spiritually from the time they are young will help them grow loving and accepting everybody in the society.
References
ww.exemplarym.com
www.lausanne.org
Paul H. Landis, Adolescence and Youth –the process of maturing, 2008.
Lawlence L. Besserman, The challenge of periodization: Old paradigms and new perspectives, 1996.
Association for childhood education international, International Kindergarten union, Association for childhood education (U.S) Childhood Education 1950.
Alex Bein, The Jewish Question: Biology of a World Problem, 1990.
Donna Rosenberg, World Mythology. An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics, 1994.