Catching 'em young

Laila Nasry and Ruhanie Perera report on a popular new trend in the city-teen discs

That teenagers in Colombo are starved of entertainment is a fact. Malls and hip, new, fast food outlets are crowded with overdressed teenagers who have no place to hang out. In the wake of this, the latest trend seems to be Teen Discos and naturally they are a crowd puller. Not held on any particularly significant day like Valentine's day or 31st night alone, these discos are organised on a regular basis by radio stations. Whilst ostensibly providing fun-starved youngsters with 'their kind of entertainment' they do raise troubling questions as to whether the entertainment meted out is best for impressionable youngsters or a sure pathway to disillusionment.

The 'teen disc' concept is fast becoming a permanent fixture because it seems like the answer to the teenager's prayer. The 'hip' venue, flashing lights and the blaring music promise the restless teen the night club atmosphere he or she longs for. Moreover, the free drinks and low priced tickets guarantee that this is a source of entertainment that is not too hard on the purse. The early nights and age limits assure a straight answer to the questioning parent. Introduced and widely advertised by the local radio stations these monthly discos seem to be a very lucrative commercial venture.

The programme manager of a popular radio station said teenagers had called the management requesting teen discs on a regular basis and the management had readily agreed. All teen discos held so far have had a very good response and it seems as though the crowds are increasing, he said. Since teens are deprived of going to night clubs (if they wanted to go, they had to either lie to their parents or sneak out on the sly) their aim in organising these events was to enable the teenagers to enjoy themselves in an atmosphere that has been alien to them upto now, he said. The station strived to create a safe atmosphere where no hard drinks are served and the time limit bordered on early evening rather than late night, he added.

The concept has been welcomed with open arms. Finally at thirteen one can dress up and go out 'clubbing' and not have your parents scowling with displeasure. "It's really great because you meet new people and make friends. Night clubs are more lively than a house party and there are a lot more people at a night club," said one teen.

Yet there are some who find house parties better as one inevitably knows the crowd at a house party. A seventeen-year-old-girl was of the opinion that there isn't much of a difference between a house party or a teen disc- "your main aim should be to have fun." This is where disillusionment can set in. However much the organisers strive to maintain a safe environment, a night club will always be a night club. Dark and usually full of people. There is no guarantee that some pervert is not going to get fresh with you just because you are only thirteen. Amidst the large crowd on the dance floor even the best intentions of the organisers are lost.

The programme manager of the radio station that organises these discos admitted to having had to send out a few teenagers for misbehaviour. Though most teenagers there said they have had no bad experience some were fully aware that there can always be a first time. "There are some psycho cases who want you to dance even when you don't want to," a teenager revealed. "You have to know to take care of yourself. It's always safer to go out with a crowd. I always go out with my cousins," said another cautious 17-year-old. But how many of the innocent teenagers who come think the way she does?

The age group for entrance though ostensibly limited to 13 to 18-year-olds,is is not strictly enforced. There were those as young as 11 years and even 20-year-olds. There is no specific way to check the ages of those entering. Further all the DJs are not within that age category. The disparity of experience is wide. While a twenty-year-old comes with maturity, a thirteen year-old comes with innocence. While the twenty-year- old cavorts with his girl friend, the impressionable 11-year-old sits in a dark corner watching. The parties he has been to are only with boys his age and with parental supervision. Here he is being exposed to a whole new environment which may not be wholesome. What he sees is reality, which he may not be ready for and which will make him mature in double quick time. Parents not wanting to disappoint their children and deprive them of some entertainment, consent to these outings, sometimes unaware of what they condoning. True some parents are careful, they come in and check the place out. But at four in the evening the place is not what it is at eight at night.

A DJ at a popular radio station said that although they are willing to accommodate any calls from questioning parents, they have not received any so far. A parent we met after the teen disc had been led to believe by her twelve- year-old son that this was only for those between 5-12years. She was indignant at the wide age gap between those enjoying the event.

Though on the surface teen discos seem an innocent,harmless form of entertainment they have another side. A worldly wise twenty- year-old told us that teen discos only encourage those who are young, to go clubbing in the future when they are of age and cited himself as an example. "I'm so used to it now that I can't break the habit. What is bad is that once you start going to clubs then you have to start spending your money, for there are no free drinks there." Though he didn't highlight it, this maybe the root of the evils that occur in our society like thieving.

Night clubs are not forbidden fruit. Like anything else in life, there is a time for it. A night club has always been for those over 18. For those who are mature enough to understand wrong from right, those who can see danger coming and can stand up to it, and to those who will not take any harassment. In other words for those who know the real world. Let it be so.

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