Thursday, July 9, 2009

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Letters | Opinion | Art & Culture | Weekend Report
It's summer time For children, there is nothing like the start of summer vacation. Just the thought of saying good-bye to classes, tests and constricting uniforms is usually enough to evoke the sheer joy of freedom in primary and high school students alike. Yet while the love of summer vacation may be a time-old tradition, the way those months are spent has changed drastically over the decades. There once was a day that time off from school meant time spent with friends, when younger children would get filthy running around outside in yards or parks and teenagers would roam the island in groups, talking and laughing among themselves. Take a look around today, however, and you're more likely to see little boys and girls inside plopped on a couch, watching cartoons or playing video games. Remember the days when everyone thought games of "Cowboys and Indians" or "War" were too violent? Imagine how much more these children's minds are being warped by the use of virtual guns that blow virtual bodies apart! Yet, there is many a child who will spend hours in such a violent fantasy world every day this summer, rather than stepping outside to experience the fresh air of reality. Meanwhile, their older siblings sleep in until noon and spend the rest of the day – and most of the night - in front of a computer screen, listening to MTV in the background. Instead of talking with friends face-to-face, instant messenger has become the preferred way of communicating, and instead of observing people out in the community, celebrities on television are the role models that are emulated. How can this generation know how unhealthy their lifestyles have become if they are not exposed to the alternatives outside of the home? The sluggishness that summer brings can be detected in adults as well. At the start of last summer, when The Freeport News asked Grand Bahamians if they had any exciting plans for the summer for its "Public Forum" feature, the reporters were forced to ask more than 10 people before getting four answers that were long enough for publication; all the other persons asked said they had no plans other than working. What does such a response say about Bahamians' abilities to take advantage of this previously-celebrated season? Admittedly, it can be quite hard to muster up the energy to venture outside when the heat is so severe, especially when working full-time, but everyone needs a change in routine, even if only on the weekends. For example, swimming is both fun and a great form of exercise, and no Bahamian has an excuse not to swim this summer, while the weather is warm and the beach is always just around the corner. This exercise does not have to be a chore. Why not make it a family event and have fun together while enjoying the beautiful water that God has blessed this country with? Or one can simply walk on the beach with a friend or family member, burning calories while spending quality time with that loved one. It is indeed a pity that while tourists flock to The Bahamas for its beauty, Bahamians themselves choose not to take advantage of their homeland's natural resources. Staying cooped up in the house all summer without physical and mental stimulation is unhealthy, not to mention boring. If nothing else, days off from work are there for a reason. Bahamians should use them to take their family away from the humdrum of everyday life. It doesn't take much more than stepping outside, so do yourself and your family a favor. Make this a summer you and your children will never forget. Friday, June 12, 2009