Changes are inevitable, especially among teens and young adults, when they are most vulnerable. One moment they like this and the next they like that.

My eldest son used to be a real problem when he was a young teenager. He had multi-coloured hair, cut into an Afro-Asian style. He played truant in school and constantly quarrelled with his mother and me. He had his share of boy-girl relationships.

He is now 20 years old and has grown into a son any parent would be proud of. He dresses well, is a keen sportsman, filial, hardworking, respects family traditions, studies hard and knows exactly what he wants in life. He is now doing well in his studies.

We go to the temple as a family regularly, make friends there, study the Dharma together, go for meals and crack jokes. We can even criticise each other without damaging our relationship. A child will change when he is ready - after he has gone through a few ups and downs and learns a bit more of what life is all about.

I do a lot of social work because this is how I like to spend my spare time. Sometimes my son will follow me. I have visited the sick in hospital, at home and have attended numerous wakes. I have seen and heard the horror of bedside conversions, with threats being used. I have been to wakes and have seen and heard unpublishable words being spoken. I have seen an only child refusing to pay respects to a deceased parent.

There seems to be a hardening of attitudes and a narrowing of views among some youths.

All this does not bode well for Singapore. We thrive on tolerance and open mindedness. We cannot allow it to be undermined.

I think we should encourage our young to ask questions, even of those with religious authority. We should teach them to never follow blindly and check what they have been told against common sense and scientific facts.

I propose that we re-introduce religious studies in the school curriculum. Perhaps if our children are taught something about various religious beliefs, they will learn to respect and understand all religions practised in our society and therefore will not be misled by radical religious leaders.

Lim Soon Huat