Societies that go through a long process of transition lose their values. There is a devaluation of the system, the sense of normal and abnormal is lost, the consequences of such events are difficult to predict and no danger is recognized. Education has long lost its way with pupils, so they are left out on the street. Physical education is neglected to infinity and therefore these improvised sports desires will occur where they do not belong.
Author: Katerina Topalova
For the last ten days, I have been researching juvenile organized street fights. It began with a video filmed on a phone where you can clearly see two juveniles weighing their physical powers with boxing gloves in the middle of the daylight in the heart of Skopje, Kapistec. The case would not be so disturbing if in the video you did not see both their peers and adults cheering passionately.
To me as a journalist and parent – this was a very bad sight. Immediately after this I decided to talk to the local population. Everybody confirmed, but they said that it had been going on for a long time and it looked very scary, because little boys are punched with all their might. Some say they reported it to the police, and the MoI confirmed that they received such a report 13 days ago.
And what now?
In further research, I realized that most parents were aware of these fights. In addition, many teachers knew but no one felt responsible for taking any steps except to talk to their child at home not to get involved in such organized fights. From the testimonies, I found that the fighting had a price tag, meaning that one deliberately makes money from the desire and adrenaline of the juveniles.
Fun for the poor!
In poor financial and spiritual societies, this is probably not a miracle. Probably not to be surprised by the fact that in social media reactions, many people see this as a normal occurrence and that journalists only want to make a sensation out of this situation.
Parents know – they do not want to talk publicly!
Teachers know – they do not want to talk publicly!
The Ministry of Interior knows for 12 days and there is still no information about the participants, who organizes the fighting’s and how often do they happen!
MES disclaims any rights to direct intervention because fights take place outside schools! The mayor of center watched the video alone and did not recognize any of the children, so he stated that the bullies and spectators were not from his municipality.
Societies that go through a long process of transition lose their values. There is a devaluation of the system, the sense of normal and abnormal is lost, the consequences of such events are difficult to predict and no danger is recognized. Education has long lost its way with pupils, so they are left out on the street. Physical education is neglected forever and therefore these improvised sports desires will occur where they do not have a place.
These generations are no different from previous generations. They simply were not fortunate enough to be born in a country with an organized system that knows how to respond to the needs of all ages. In a country where there are rules and sanctions. In a country where fighting as a sport is not a taboo but it has rules, wrestlers are overseen by experienced trainers, fighting sites are safe, doctors and police are present. Adrenaline has to be spent somewhere. Children are not to blame, they are just looking for a way to get rid of the tension they feel, in the absence of strictly prescribed conditions – they create themselves, unable to guess in what kind of danger they are involved.
May God stop things right here. May God make us aware of where we are moving? I say May God because he is the only one we can pray and wait to, for the institutions have long had neither intention nor power to help us!