Can You Honestly Say…
Are you doing all you can to motivate and inspire our youth?

By Linda Fortenberry

In the 60s we landed on the moon. In the 70s we resolved the world energy crisis. In the 80s we ended the cold war in Europe. And in the 90s we became the most technologically advanced country in the world.

These feats heralded us the title: “The Richest and Greatest Nation in the World in the 21st Century.” Yet, with all of these accomplishments, we have no solution for the disease and unrest that has overtaken our youth here in America.

Today, we are losing the innocence and brilliance of our youth at a rapidly increasing rate to sex, drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. The spirit of young entrepreneurs and their educational excellence is falling far short of their potential due to the many challenges that bemoans them at an early age.

It’s my firm opinion that one of the main reasons for the crisis that our young people are suffering is due to a lack of role models and mentors within their communities. Dorothy L. Nolte wrote, “Children live what they learn.” Children who are reared in communities and families where expectations and standards are high are most likely to succeed in life. When children can see and touch their idols—rather than have them be some distant icon that they see on TV, on the sports page or in movies and concerts—they are instilled with a greater sense of hope, self-confidence and pride. Kids who see “winners” in their everyday lives will instinctively know that they can achieve their dreams. Why? Because their icons live either in their home, their neighborhood or their business community. They can relate to the person not just see the icon.

During the 60s, our neighborhood consisted of the business leaders of the community, such as the town’s physician, attorney, pharmacist, ministers and teachers, to name a few. These were people who you knew by name, and many times had personal encounters with because they were hands-on involved with the education and welfare of the community. These role models realized that they were socially, economically and morally responsible for perpetuating sound, disciplined, well-adjusted individuals. Therefore, they took a personal stake in the lives of young people in the community and had the foresight and understanding to recognize that children are our richest commodities. They knew that whatever effort we put into children is exactly what we can expect to get out of them. Just as in business:
“The greater the risk, the greater the potential for return.” No risk, no return!

It’s disheartening that America, the world’s richest economic power and most technologically advanced nation can, fund AIDS research in Africa and send millions of dollars to Tsunami survivors, yet we have no solution for what is happening in our own back yard.

In a society where choices are as numerous as the stars, it can be difficult to make the right decision under the pressure of surmounting peer pressure, rap star mogul role models and the era of instant gratification. Young people—like all of us—desire to belong and to be accepted; therefore, they may give in to drugs, sex, alcohol and other immoral behaviors. As involved parents, community leaders and business owners, can we honestly say, “I’m doing all that I can?”

Linda Fortenberry is founder and director of Circles Leadership Foundation. She can be reached at (913) 825-4746.