The country is full of young people who are perceived as not being interested in the country's affairs. Dubbed the lost generation, we the young people are the future.

The country is full of young people who are perceived as not being interested in the country's affairs. Dubbed the lost generation, we the young people are the future.

Fashion and alcohol adverts and soapies are the causes of our behaviour. We spend our lives fantasising about being beautiful and bold to sleep around like our favourite soap characters. We have no role models in our own communities because no one is willing to guide us. We are left on our own to solve the same problems our parents had. Some of us even repeat the same mistakes our parents made, such as teen pregnancy and so on.

We need answers about sex, life partners and money. Discussing these important issues with our parents is still taboo so we talk to our friends. But they are inexperienced and also need guidance.

Charity begins at home. Parents must treat us as equals when making decisions about shopping even if we are not earning. It will mould and prepare us to be responsible.

We mistakenly reduce politics to elections because we are only dragged into politics when older politicians need our votes. We are never invited to be candidates. We are interested, but are not trusted.

We are strong, sharp and teachable. Include us in police forums, school governing bodies, government integrated programmes and so on.

Trinity Makola, Johannesburg