Concern over teenagers hanging out late at night

By HARIATI AZIZAN and WONG PEK MEI

Photo by GLENN GUAN

KUALA LUMPUR: They have become a common sight in the wee hours of the morning – youngsters hanging out with friends in various spots in the city.
The fatal shooting of 15-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah by police has now put in the limelight this growing phenomenon of teens staying out late.
Parents, educators and activists are concerned that many teens are disobeying their parents by hanging out with friends all night.
Data in the Malaysia Community and Family Study 2004 by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) – conducted every 10 years – reveals that staying out late at night is the top activity disapproved of by parents that teenagers love to indulge in (13.5%).

Teenagers hanging out in the Bukit Bintang area late at night. With plenty of entertainment available, many can be seen in the area until the wee hours of the morning.

Taking drugs (1.3%) and illegal racing (2.9%) ranked much lower.
For this section of the study, the LPPKN spoke to over 1,000 youth separately from the rest of their family members.
“We compiled 10 activities on parents’ No-No list and asked the respondents to rank their likelihood of participating in activity against their parents’ wishes,” said LPPKN director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman.
“Teens staying out late at night are a common thing. Six years ago, it was the top disapproved activity and now, although we don’t have the actual figure, it seems to be growing.
“It may not be critical yet to cause panic but we should be aware of the dangers,” she said.