Something To Ponder...

The famous line of Dr. Jose Rizal “ Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan” though it sounds corny for us youth of this generation but it mean a lot more than what we think about it. It must be our basis for we are the one in reality who will dominate the future of our country. Youths are to be the solution but unfortunately today, youth are the most common victims of insurgency, politics, poverty, lack of education and many more. Some politicians are deceiving the minds of the young people for their own personal ambitions in politics. Some of the advertisements today are using the children to promote a product, a politicians where the children being used did not really know what they are doing with their fresh innocent minds, or maybe it is all about money that matters.

As we are in midst of crisis, are you not aware of the very alarming status of the country? I know of course that we always have in mind the worries that we may not face or not ready to face the reality of dealing the problems that we may encounter later. Especially when we are not equipped with such knowledge to relate the problems. We all know that even if we are just young and innocents, but we all have to the power to make change and make a difference. Act as if we are fighting for our lives, live with a purpose not just for your own but for the benefit of everybody else who are screaming for the justice! Again let us not think what our country can do for us but think of the things you can contribute in order for us to progress and move forward! Our country is also depending on us of how we will shape its structure.

Every 3 years, another election to test our capability in choosing the right candidate to once again manage and take part of the next chapter of challenges. The youth will once again play a vital role to this big event. I know and I think we already have mature minds enough to vote responsibly. I'm happy with some organizations today who are vigilant and are after of the clean and honest election! Let us join hands together for a just and a humane society!.“ We don't choose the best... We create them!”

Spiral of Silence Theory Description

Spiral of Silence Theory

Description

Is a social science concerned with the theory and practice of politics and the analysis of political systems and political behavior. People will be unwilling to publicly express their opinion if they believe they are in the minority. They will also be more vocal if they believe they are a part of the majority. Thus, the more marginalized you become, the less you speak and so spiral into a fully marginal position. 

This works because we fear social rejection. and that when a person appears to be rejected, others will back away from them, fearing being rejected because they associate with the rejected person. It also makes marginalization a powerful way of eliminating political and social competition.

Public opinion is the "attitudes or behaviors one must express in public if one is not to isolate oneself, in areas of controversy or change; public opinions are those attitudes one can express without running the danger of isolating oneself."

Research

Noelle-Neumann showed subjects a picture with one person angrily saying, "It seems to me that smokers are terribly inconsiderate. They force others to inhale their health-endangering smoke." Respondents were asked to phrase a response to the statement whilst other 'planted' people were there. When nonsmokers were nearby, many smokers were less willing to openly support smokers’ rights.

Ideas and Implications:

The Spiral of Silence is useful to apply in situations when trying to explain why people cover up or change their opinions when in a group setting especially when they think they are alone in their opinions.

Examples

1.An  example to help illustrate the Spiral of Silence theory is a person going out with a new group of people or on a date with someone you do not know very well.  When ordering pizza for this theory, I would conform to the mushroom lovers because I feel I am in the minority since I do not like mushrooms and i think everyone else does.  Therefore I do not want to be rejected or alone in my opinions. 

2.If you were on a long train journey, and a person next to you starts to discuss the problems of food safety. Would you join in the conversation, speaking your true opinion? What if it were controversial, what then?

3.About the issue on Artificial Birth Control. The opinion leaders of the church are so much against it. So, the legislative board are muted about the issue because they are afraid to push the said bill for they have high respect for the church and it will also affect their image as a politician.

So what?

Using it

Show people how the views you want them to express are mainstream, and that the views you want them to change are minority and in danger of causing them to be socially rejected. 

Defending

When you want to say something, say it. Watch out for being maneuvered into a corner.

Sanguniang Kabataan should be Abolished

Sanguniang Kabataan Should Be Abolished

By: Senorito Bernard

          Sanguniang Kabataan are the youth elected officials ages between 15 and 18 years who will represent the youth in every barangay. This was created way back in 1991 by virtue of RA no. 7160 or the Local Government Code. I am in affirmative side which aims to abolish the law.

          I go for its abolition why because it simply fails to address the real and pressing problems of children and young people that pertain to education and drug abuse.SK fails to submit annual and end of term reports which lead to non-monitoring of their project and programs, hence, the effectiveness of their projects are seldom measured. SK falls short on carrying out legislative functions which is to empower the youth, rather, it mostly revolve around sports.

          Allegations of corruption by inefficient, ineffective and non-performing Sanguniang Kabataan officials have caused calls for its abolition from various sectors and officials including no less than President Benigno Aquino Jr himself and Department of Local and Interior Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

          Ironically, even the very author of the RA 7160, otherwise known as Local Government Code which created the SK in 1991 Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel on his last term, filed a bill proposing for its abolition. also in 2004, Former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla filed the same bill at the House of Representatives. Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento also showed support to abolish the SK Election stressing that it is not a good training ground for young people. The youth will just be introduced to the early sign of bad politics like commissions in contract and projects.

          SK National President Jane Censoria Cajes was caught saying “ Kadalasan nagagamit kami ng mga Brgy. Captains at pulitiko kasi may boses kami sa council. we cannot sign contracts because we are minors, so it’s the Brgy.chairman who does it for us. Pag yung kapitan may gustong pabor, iniipit yung SK at hindi bibigyan ng budget. kawawang SK walang magawa kundi pumayag na lang.”

          Scrapping of the SK will not mean that the youth will be deprived of a voice in the community. Youth’s rights and needs will always be recognized and protected without necessarily electing a youth council because it is not the only method in which the welfare of the youth could be promoted. President Aquino promises in his platform to promote a better future for the youth by improving the country’s education system.

          Another Factor why we should abolish SK is that the fact that they are still minors. Under Article 37 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, SK members who are minors do not have the power to do acts with legal effects and likewise, under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344), they are not criminally responsible if they violate the penal laws or commit crimes. So what kind of official acts can they authoritatively do when under the law they do not have the power to do acts with legal effect?

          SK officials in every barangay get 10% of the budget for their unmonitored projects. The bigger the barangay means much bigger money allocated for them. If the SK election will be abolished, it can help the government save approximately P3.5 Billion in one term of an SK officials. That money is big enough to sustain and address some youth related problems without compromising the youth to be under influenced of dirty politics.

Young people at this age are expected to devote their precious time in their studies. It would be very difficult for them to combine both. They should be given more time to prepare and gradually realize what is behind politics.

          In all of the citations, I hereby affirm that Sanguniang Kabataan Election should be abolished.