LIFE ON THE STREET AND MORAL DECAY - BARRI. PEDRO MOSHOOD

The street can be seen as a complex and intricate system comprised of various interconnected components. Within this system, there exists a microcosm where individuals' lives can either be utilized by those in power for their own benefit or completely ignored and disregarded. Tragically, wasting lives has become just another method used to gain favor, settle personal scores, restore honor, discourage disloyalty, or advance to higher levels of influence and attention.

In 2018, I conducted research on street children for a university project. My objective was to delve into the negative influences on these children's minds and examine the heightened social challenges society faces as a result. Poverty emerged as a primary contributing factor to this issue. Often neglected by society, these street children frequently become involved in criminal activities. Through actions like fraud, they can elevate their social standing and interact with children from middle-class and affluent families. Remarkably, many celebrities we see today have risen from these challenging circumstances.

Tragically, a significant number of these celebrities were troubled individuals even before their fame. Their celebrity status provides them with a platform to disseminate their unique subculture to different social classes through the media. Regrettably, young people, including those who are underage or teenagers, can easily absorb this subculture through devices like phones, computers, and television, often without even realizing it. Merely sheltering children within the protective confines of home is insufficient, as socialization extends beyond those boundaries and exposes them to potential moral decay.

Exposure to pervasive evil and corruption can initially evoke sadness within your soul, gradually desensitizing your mind over time. Eventually, you may even find yourself supporting wrongful actions due to the repetitive nature of what you witness. This occurs because our moral compass is influenced by the events transpiring within our society. Despite believing we have control over our thoughts, without the experience of diverse perspectives, we inevitably conform to societal norms. 

Living on the streets and earning a modest income may ensure an average lifestyle, relieving the constant worry of threats, unless one is involved in illicit activities. Sadly, those who aspire to a better life are few in number and receive minimal attention and support. However, there is a risk of exploitation unless one pays off the individuals controlling the system.

Regrettably, what the more fortunate among us typically know about the street is merely a superficial glimpse into the harsh reality that unfolds daily. When we consider the complexity of society, unlike the past when we could easily shield our children from certain dangers, those dangers are now ubiquitous.

Barri. Pedro Moshood writes from Lagos, Nigeria.