Letter to Lift: Education & Love among Young People, Cambodia

Dear LIFT,

Having read your article about “High school sweet hearts: Will it last until marriage?” published June 13, I would like contribute my personal comments in response.

Education and love is a contentious topic in every country. Most high school students tend to have boyfriends or girlfriends these days, regardless of cultural restrictions.

But where is this trend coming from? Is it coming from external pressures in the media, like movies and karaoke, or is it internal?

I agree with Professor Samchan Sovandara, the quoted psychology lecturer, when he says: “Don’t have a relationship while studying, because it’s too hard facing all the problems coming from school, families, and the relationship itself.”

At the same time, I want to see how we can encourage youth to have an understanding of the issues that come with relationships.

Education can come from parents, the media and school.

Parents often neglect what’s going on their children’s lives with their busy work schedules. However, parents should seek to spend more quality time with their kids so that they can educate them on matters of the heart.

Regarding the media, I think there should be more programming that focuses on youth matters exclusive of love and relationships.

With school, I think that there should be education regarding the matter.

Kind Regards, Sok Pongsametrey

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Phnom Penh Post: Letter to the Editor