What is happening to our children?

I got a link this morning from 3 different people of a video that they said was going viral. Everyone was watching it, passing it round so people would be careful. It is the video of an 13 year old girl assaulting a 4 year old boy. I couldn't bring myself to watch it, so I asked one of the people who sent it, who did the video; she said probably an adult who was peeping, saw them and did the video. I had a myriad of feelings at that point.

I felt pity for the little boy who wasn't aware that he was being molested by the girl  who mommy and daddy brought to the house to take care of him when they went to work or their business. He must be thinking it is alright and all part of living.

I felt sorry for the girl who lost her innocence at an early age, tasted sex and wanted to continue to satisfy her hunger for the forbidden fruit, with nowhere to turn to but to take advantage of the little boy in her care.

I felt sorry for the parents, who live in a society where they have to work extra hard to put food on the table, clothes on the back, roof above the head, pay school fees and take care of their family.

I felt anger at the video operator who shot this video. You see this kind of thing happening and instead of stopping them  and reporting to the parents, you decided to do a video, for what? Evidence that you caught them or propagating child pornography?

I felt anger at the society that has ensured that both parents must work outside the home to provide for the family. Most parents leave home very early and return back late at night, they barely know what their kids are up to most of the time. Most work weekends too and when they are not working they are trying to catch up on rest.

I felt anger at parents who decided unknowingly to put their businesses or work before their children. Everyday we complain about the attitudes and character of the younger generation, but who would blame them? Parents who should be role models are not present, children these days spend so much time alone or with caregivers.

I am not sure of the statistics but I heard that 3 out of 5 boys were sexually molested as children. Many boys lose their virginity to househelps. Yesterday a friend of mine told me of one of her clients; Her 11year daughter was impregnated by her 19 year old cousin who lived with them. The girl was 4 months gone before the mom even found out. Since it was a family scandal, the boy was just sent to the village to stay with another member of the family.To save family name he has gone free. He is in the village now and will probably look for a little girl to abuse. Busy parents from the city will go to the village to get a small girl who they think knows nothing but work to come take care of their children not knowing they are exposing their homes and children. The girl in the video was molested too. Someone took her innocence. Boys are also molested by house-helps and sometimes relatives but  they don't get in the news cos some feel there is no real damage done to the boy. That is so wrong. Now this 4 year old has also lost his innocence only God knows what he will become in his teenage years. It  is such a vicious cycle.

We can't be too careful about our children. It is better to be paranoid cautious than sorry.

PS: Myne did a post with tips on what to look out for about child molestation. You can read it here