Developing young boys into men
Teaching a young man how to become a responsible man involves more than just being there,
POSITIVE male role models play a vital part in teaching young boys how to be strong and responsible men as they grow up and Grosvenor Boys High School was recently afforded the chance to educate and empower young boys when District 6 Libraries hosted a Youth Development Program on Friday, 1 March.
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The grade 8 boys were addressed by various male speakers on the different topics and issues that were relevant to them, including puberty and sex education, substance abuse, cyber-bullying peer pressure, as well as the importance of focusing on their education. Among some of the speakers was Sbu Lushozi, of Siyanqoba who spoke on substance abuse and engaged with the pupils to find out why they believe some of their peers are influenced into experimenting and abusing drugs and alcohol. Sandile Mahlangu from Microsoft spoke on cyberbullying and its effects, as well as how to use social media properly and safely. Khulani Chiliza of Durban Youth Radio spoke on the relevant topics of teenage pregnancy, circumcision, and HIV/AIDS and further advised the young boys on how to avoid making uninformed decisions that could severely affect their futures.
Event programme director, Rodney Roskruge, who is also a published author and works closely with Grosvenor Library said that advising and educating young boys on social issues, life skills and the changes within their bodies as they grow is of crucial importance as they transition into adolescence.
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“Teaching a young man how to become a responsible man involves more than just being there. It is a conscious process of mentoring, training and connecting that creates a desire and the skills needed for a boy to become the kind of man we all hope he becomes. Addressing boys on how to become well-rounded men is something that I believe needs to happen, this way we breakdown the taboo around having such conversations and therefore educate their curious minds constructively, rather than letting them wander off on their own down the wrong path,” he said. Roskruge also added that pupils should turn to more productive and expressive means such as literature and performance as a way of dealing with the many pressures and issues they face growing up.
Grosvenor Librarian Somikazi Bonani said she was very happy with the outcome of the programme and they will carry on in their mission to inform and educate young boys on the many social issues happening around them and advising them on how to be apart of the increasingly negative statistics.
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