The crime rate among teenagers is rising in many parts of the world. Many of those involved in the crime come from fairly good family backgrounds. The question arises as to why these youngsters, who have access to best education and amenities, resort to crime?

Many reasons are cited that they lack parental supervision and lack of strict punishment, among others. But the very basic, root cause for their wrong doings is that they do not do any physical work.

Physical work means the work done by hands, which tires the body physically or manual labour.

Nature has created the limbs as tools to be moved and used. If not used adequately, they would rust and stiffen like any other tool. One who does physical work regularly would never suffer from disabling stiffness of limbs with advancing age. Physical stamina is also increased. After doing manual labor for some time, profuse sweating occurs, which refreshes the body. The grime and dust is removed, thus imparting a fresh glow to the skin.

The internal parts of the body like lungs, heart, and intestines also get activated with physical work. Blood circulation to these parts is enhanced thus energizing them. The advantage of this is that one does not suffer from sickness of these parts with advancing age.

All these benefits can be obtained from physical exercise, is what people argue. But whatever form of physical exercise is done, it does not provide the mental satisfaction as a completed task provides. Physical, manual labor keeps the body fit and provides a thrill, seeking which teenagers and adolescents resort to crime and drugs.

Regard the scenario where students are not doing any physical work at all. In their zeal to see their wards excel in exams, affluent parents mostly do not involve them in any household chore like cooking, cleaning, washing clothes or gardening. Little do they realise, that just one hour of physical work would freshen their minds such that they can study with more concentration. It is better to do some work around, rather than loitering around aimlessly, when they get bored of studying. When the youngsters do these domestic tasks, they appreciate and learn to respect the people who do those chores for them.

In many countries, school and college students are made to work in the fields during vacations. Youth is a period of immense energy, and potential. If a youngster has to do some physical work after school, his mind would be on the task to be done, instead of something frivolous. Physical work ensures taming of mind and body.

The work done can be any, like gardening, carpentry or house cleaning, depending on one’s liking. Great people like Mahatma Gandhi, Leo Tolstoy, Winston Churchill have been known to do regular physical work at the peak of their careers. If not daily, then the youngster can do some work at least on weekends. Let work be a form of enjoyment or relaxation for him/ her.

Millions of youth seek employment, even small time jobs but avoid doing any physical work. One can well imagine, how well the output would be, if all the young people put their energy into creative and developmental work. The practice of Umuganda in Rwanda is worth emulating by all.

Therefore, for the sake of betterment of country and family, please make the children work. Make them productive, law abiding citizens who stay away from crime. This aim can be achieved only when their full energy is put into work and that is possible only through physical work.