Rant & Rave

By Warren Kaneshiro

Tuesday, November 12, 1996

Many listen
when teens need to talk

COMING of age has got to be difficult in the '90s, one of the most difficult times in American history. That's the impression I got after flipping through "The Face of History," a compilation of TIME magazine covers spanning the past seven decades.

When I saw the the '90s covers in the book's concluding pages, I noticed a change from earlier pages. Head shots of great innovators and politicians of the past were being replaced by a myriad of disturbing illustrations and headings: "Fatherhood," "Kids & Guns," "AIDS Epidemic," "RU 486: Birth Control," "Kids Addicted to Drugs," among others.

I have one question: Are youths in their bout against adversity alone? Yes, earlier generations had their share of hardship - for example, poverty - but like a CNN presentation declared: During those times of poverty neighbors helped one another. People trusted the government. More importantly, people could trust one another. Is this true today?

HOW'S a youth supposed to emerge sane through such an insane time? Is a pleasant rap session with mom or pop supposed to make things right?

For many youths, parents offer no answers. Why? Consider the doctrines of some parents: They haven't yet made their way over the "bridges of the past" (sorry about the upset, Dole), hence, attempts to communicate with them go nowhere. A typical conversation might start with, "When I was your age ..." from parents, ending with, "Why can't you understand me?" from kids.

Also, consider the evolution of mom's role. She is no longer a stay-home-and-bake-cakes kinda gal with a lot of time for the family. Instead, she, like pop, is hauling in the bacon. So really, it's impossible for either parent to serve as shrinks when they themselves may be in dire need of one!

First Lady Hillary Clinton's words from her book, "It Takes a 'Village to Raise a Child," must sound heavenly in the ears of the overworked parent. But perhaps the concept should have added details, as in, "It takes a village to aid youths through these difficult times ... when loved ones are unable to do so."

Is this asking too much?

Maybe not. I've discovered that the "villagers" living on this Pacific rock are generally more than happy to lend a helping hand to youths in need.

Here are a few caring organizations that offer free services:

Drug or alcohol abuse: Ala Teens offers group meetings, listen to a recording at 948-2666 for times; YMCA provides counseling, 848-2494.

Gang conflict: Adult Friends for Youth works with whole gangs, not individuals, 848-1411; the YMCA provides counseling for members hoping to exit from a gang, 671-6495; the Kalihi YMCA can assist in intervention and prevention, 848-2494.

General counseling for youths at risk: Provided by the Susannah Wesley Community Center, 681-0241 or 847-1535.

Need to talk?: Teen Line puts your peers on the phone 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 521-8336, press "0."

Pregnancy: Kapiolani Teen Intervention offers counseling, 973-8501; Adult Friends for Youth has a teen parent program, 848-1411.

Radio discussions: "Street Talk" airs on I-94 (93.9), 10 p.m. Sundays, with a discussion of problems and solutions.

Runaways: Project YO!, 942-5858; Hale Kipa, 955-2248; Central Oahu Youth Services, 637-9344.

Sexually transmitted diseases: STD/AIDS hotline provides counseling and recorded information, 922-1313; Life Foundation provides counseling for HIV patients only, 521-2437; Diamond Head STD/AIDS Clinic offers confidential testing for STDs and counseling, 733-9280.

Suicide: Suicide & Crisis Center offers phone counseling and on-site help, 521-4555.

So, are we alone? We don't have to be.

---

Warren Kaneshiro is 19 and has often
volunteered his time to help those in need.

Rant & Rave is a Tuesday Star-Bulletin feature allowing teens and young adults to serve up fresh perspective. Guys and girls speak up by fax at 523-8509; by answering machine at 525-8666; snail mail at P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, HI 96802; or e-mail, features@starbulletin.com