By Carolyn Whitley

Planning for a Pirate Party

Pirate parties are a fun way to celebrate. They can be for kid's parties, adult parties, or just to get together with family and friends using a theme for your special occasion. Parties can be very expensive. However, with a bit of prior planning and the right resources, you can produce a fun filled afternoon or evening of entertainment, without it costing heaps.

Here are a few things to consider:

Pirate Costumes

Dressing up for the occasion adds to the atmosphere of the occasion, whether it is a party for adults or children. If you're a bit artistic, you can make your own pirate costume, as they need not be complex or difficult; the hardest part is what to do. I usually get a picture of what I want to make which gives me an idea of where to start. Otherwise, simple costumes can be purchased, and they don't have to be expensive items, there are some cheap ones that look fantastic.

Venue Decorations

Venue decorations play an important role in the party. When thought through carefully beforehand, pirate decorations and props will leave a lasting impression.

Among the essentials in this party theme are the pirate ship, treasure chests, treasures maps and swords. Instead of actually building a ship, the house or room that will serve as the venue could be transformed into the ship's cabin. Posters, drawings, or paintings can be placed on the walls, windows, or the door to help achieve this effect. If using balloons, choose colors that match in with the theme.

Pirate Invitation

The invitation is very important in the planning of your pirate party. Invitations should convey more than just informing guests of the party details and that costumes will be required. It sets the scene for what is to come. Use invitations that look like they came from a pirate. Invitations can be in the form of a treasure map, a message in a bottle or a mini treasure chest.

Pirate Party Games

A pirate party wouldn't be complete without having the famous pirate treasure hunt. Use one that encourages your guests to interact as they hunt for clues and completing challenges that will eventually lead them to the pirate's treasure. Look for ways to make the final clue the highlight of the hunt, and the guests will remember the fun they had for a long time to come. Plan enough games to keep everyone involved and make sure they are age related. Look for games that include pirate terms, such as walking the plank, sink the enemy, pop the cannonball, swap the decks, or jewel pickup.

Pirate Party Food

It can be fun choosing which pirate party food you will use for your occasion. Finding the right food can add a heap of fun to the party. Use pirate terms for your food, such as calling drinks or punch "grog", or dinner "grub". Cakes can be made in the form of a pirate or ship.

So take time to plan your pirate party, and it can be a fun filled event, remembered by your guests for a long time.

This article has been provided by Carolyn Whitley. I love kids fun parties, and this fun pirate information can become a super-fantastic party for kids. Want more ideas? then come and visit my site http://www.squidoo.com/pirate-party-ideas-treasure-hunt-party-game

By Sabih Javed

There are many playoffs around for girls and boys of all ages. Some of them are free while others are paid ones. It's pretty hard to find free online games of your own choice especially such playoff which you can play as much as you like without any restrictions. Since there are many websites which will offer you lots of so-called "free" games but eventually they will ask you to buy it after playing it for sometime or after reaching a certain stage you will be prompted for payment. So it's never easy to find a perfect free game, nevertheless it's not impossible.

Dress up games

Dress up games are mostly free ones since these are simple and quick playoffs designed specifically for girls. There are different types of dress up games including:

1- Monster high dress up

2- Wedding dress up

3- Fashion dress up

4- Makeover dress up

5- Pets dress up

6- Barbie dress up

These dress up games, you have to dress up the girl, monster, pet or whatever you have opted for, from the given tools. You can change the entire look by replacing hair, eyes, clothes, shoes, jewelry and alike. Dress up games are easy to play and small girls actually love them a lot.

Monster high dress up games are getting very famous these days and there are many websites around which are offering these games. In monster high dress up, kids have to dress up a monster instead of a usual girl. Or at times, kids have to dress up a normal girl to make her look like a monster. You can easily search around for monster high dress up games over the internet; Google can help you a lot. Although there are not many websites which are offering these monster dress up games but you will find enough of them.

Barbie games

Barbie games are one of the most famous games. Girls love to play Barbie games and interestingly there are thousands of websites which are providing lots of Barbie games. Some of the famous Barbie games include:

1- Barbie dress up

2- Barbie makeover

3- Barbie cooking

Most of the Barbie games are free since there are many online providers that no one needs to pay for something which is easily available right on the next website. Barbie princess is a very special character for girls and there is something special in it for every girl. Whether it's online Barbie game or real Barbie game, girls are crazy about them.

Boys usually like to play action, puzzle and adventure games whereas girls like simple dress up, makeover and Barbie games. It's not hard to find some really cool as well as interesting online free games for your young girl. All you have to do is add some good girls' games websites in your browser's bookmarks and leave the rest on your little one. And you will see that it's very easy to make your kids happy by doing nothing special for them.

By Lance Winslow

When I was 12-years old I started my first business, was I too young? When I was 16-years old I had 100 hours flying time and solo'ed an aircraft, was I too young? Not according to the FAA. And when I was between those ages I had the ability and skill to fly, but I wasn't allowed without a flight instructor - sounds like age discrimination to me. Why are we holding our young people back - answer me that! Let's talk about this for a moment shall we?

Okay so, to the question; "Should Teenagers in High School Be Allowed to Join Think Tanks?" The best answer would be yes, why not. Still, not long ago, when a teenager asked to join our think tank and open up a dialogue on the "Future of Education" specifically Biology and Psychology, I stated;

"Meanwhile, on the subject of school, your parents would kill me if I took time away from your studies, so you have to promise me to keep your grades up and only correspond by email after you have completed your homework. If you want to continue these conversations online, I ask that you take time away from silly things like Facebook, TV, etc, and never homework or studies - deal? Grades are paramount right now for you."

Are our schools challenging our students enough? I believe the answer to be "NO" and certainly not all of them. Especially, when I find high-school students, very smart ones, contacting our think tank, and if they are unchallenged in school what does this say about our education system? Next, I ask; how much school is needed anyway, does everyone really need a four-year college degree or even an advanced degree to live well and work in our top companies - or go and become future entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders?

Now then, it is said by many of the top psychologists in the nation, including Dean Simonton that many of the eminent achievers and creative geniuses only had two-years of college, not necessarily advanced degrees, and that is interesting because we always assume that the smartest highest IQ folks go the furthest in school, and as Einstein, Disney and others have noted it is the imaginative mind that is paramount for out of the box thinking, you have that as long as you continue to "ask questions" and push your mind to "think" while you learn all the school work.

Well, I hope I've got your mind thinking and realize I am talking from an abundance of experience, observations, and knowledge on these points of contention. Think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Innovation in America. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

By Rebecca Winkler

In school's today, kids are smarter than ever and it is always a challenge for teachers to keep their interests on the subject being taught. At a young age, kids at home are being using laptops, desktops, and even kids level computers like Leapfrog. Kids are also being taught at home not only to read and understand English, but in some cases another language. It has been shown that young kids are more apt to pick up another language at an early age. Due to all of this "schooling" kids are getting at home, teachers have a challenge and that is to keep the kids attention on different subjects like math, science, writing, etc. One way teachers can accomplish this is by introducing the use of non-soldering robot kits. By using non-soldering kits, teachers do not have to keep a close eye on the kids as they would if a hot soldering iron is required. This frees up the teachers to assist all kids with their projects.

There are many different types of non-soldering kits on the market that would keep the attention of all kids. Some kids may enjoy building bug type kits, kits where the robots walk upright, while others may like cars, particularly cars that run by solar energy or water. These kits could be used to help explain different topics or concepts during math class and science class. For instance if kids are learning about geometry, the walking robots could be used to help the kids figure out the best balance the robot to make it walk or even roll. They would need to learn about angles and other geometry concepts. For science class, a solar or water powered robot can help kids learn about alternate fuel sources. These type of non-soldering kits are particularly fun when the car drives around and can shoot balls. A teacher could make a real game of it by having the students target tunnels or cups to shoot the balls into and watch what happens when the fuel cells run down. No matter what subject at school, robot kits can become a teacher's best friend by having kids pay better attention in class. Kids will enjoy this fun way of learning. Teachers will enjoy how their students pay more attention in class. Parents will be happy their kids are getting better grades. Kids will actually enjoy learning and getting great grades in school.

Rebecca Winkler is the owner of http://www.yourrobotkits.com/ and she loves seeing young people learn and grow. She believes that non-soldering robot kits will help children learn about electronics and the world. America needs to have more engineers in the future and she hopes to inspire children.

By Rebecca Winkler

Robotic clubs are a fun way kids can learn about sharing, friendly competition, winning awards, and having fun with other kids their age. Robotic clubs are one of many clubs supported by schools around the US. There are categories for robots built by very young kids all the way up to high school age kids. The young kids compete in categories that use non-soldering robot kits as well as some that require soldering. When parents look at these kits, they can be ensured their kids can be left alone to build their robots without fear of being burned when using non-soldering kits.

One of the biggest Robot Clubs around the US is known as US First. They were founded in 1989. In 1992 there were 28 teams in New Hampshire competing at many different levels. The youngest age for competition if 6 while the oldest age is 18. There are many different levels in this club and each state around the US can have their own First robot club. When Lego came out with their non-soldering robot kit, US First created a league for this group of robots. Kids ages 6 - 9 can join the JR First Lego League (Jr.FLL) where they will learn real-world challenges on solving problems by using robots. There are adults and teachers working right alongside these young kids. They learn not only about how to design and build non-soldering robots, but learn about presenting their robotic designs to their peers, the challenges scientists face today, and how to apply the math and science skills they are learning about in school. This is the first level a kid may get involved in with the club.

These types of clubs not only teach about team-building, but also about safety. Parents can drop off their young kids at these clubs and be confident of their safety. Besides there are teachers, mentors, and other parents volunteering to ensure all goes smooth at the club meetings. As kids get older, they can grow through the other levels of these clubs from using non-soldering kits up to the levels that require wiring and the use of a soldering iron. These upper levels prepare kids for entering college and can even provide scholarships. By starting out in the robot club at the age of 6 building non-soldering robots and eventually growing through the different levels of the club, they would not only be graduating from high school, but also graduating from this robot club with the hopes and dreams of pursuing an engineering career both in college and as part of their life long career. Who knows, maybe the young kid getting involved with non-soldering robots may one day be the adult who comes up with the environment saving alternative fuel supply that will save our planet.

Rebecca Winkler is the owner of http://www.yourrobotkits.com/ and she loves seeing young people learn and grow. She believes that non-soldering robot kits will help children learn about electronics and the world. America needs to have more engineers in the future and she hopes to inspire children.

By Matthew Scott K

Today's state budgets are reeling in their expenditures as they are challenged with balancing their budgets. With state revenue shortfalls and less and less money coming from the federal government, states are making cuts into important programs-such as public education.

Even before these cuts began being made (cuts that are continually being made) our schools were falling short in several areas. America's education system provided great training that was crucial for the country's leadership through the Industrial Revolution and continues to do so even into the Technology Revolution-which we sit in currently. However, America's education is missing something huge.

While public education provides great skills to our youth, they are all outside skills. They are training skills to accomplish tasks with proficiency and these tasks are outside of the individual. These tasks are what everyone can see which make them really measurable and feedback immediate.

What education is missing (and this is a huge skill set to miss!) are the internal skills-the skills of being-that students will learn by watching their parents, teachers, the media, etc. The skills of being, at a minimum, include self-awareness, goal setting, thought patterns, self-discipline and evaluation.

Without attention being paid to these five areas in the skills of being, a very talented individual who attains academic success will falter in the real world. They will crumble in front of "obstacles" and not be able to build the relationships with others that can help them achieve what the world needs them to achieve-their immense potential. Here is how these "skills of being" break down and what you can do to help promote them in your students and children.

Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is simply the ability to observe oneself in action and thought. We must first become aware of how we do what we do and why before we can make any decisions or evaluations on how our way of being is helping us or hindering us.

Personality tests can offer insights into how we do what we do and how we interact with other people. Speaking with people and asking for honest feedback also delivers important information.

The reason this is crucial in today's world is because we must first become aware of ourselves before we can learn to understand other people. It does boil down to relationships when the world economy is competitive and skills alone do not compete. Who can build the best relationship with customers, employers and employees? These are the people who will prosper-and always have.

Self-awareness allows us to learn and innovate the way of our being in order to promote the greatest qualities and to learn from the experiences we have had in life.

Goal Setting

I assume you know about the power of S.M.A.R.T. goals. This is the ability to make goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. SMART goals offer us goals that can be evaluated in a time frame that is manageable for our brain's focus.

What people oftentimes skip over when making goals is, first, to really make them and draw the line in the sand, and second, to have a plan of action in the chance that they are not achieved.

People who make goals are accustomed to creating their personal challenges. Goals offer us the ability to control what we want to focus on and this is extremely important if we are doing important work. Goals drive our focus. Without goals, we may allow ourselves to be distracted and distraction causes chaos in life. We will experience increased stress and anxiety.

When goals are made, but not attained, what is the appropriate way to react? Do we rationalize, blame something outside us, internalize blame and beat ourselves up, or do we re-calibrate? Observing this reaction can lead us into more self-awareness and it allows us to decide what is working or not working for us.

Every person who achieves a high level of success has set goals. They establish them and make them "non-negotiable" and, should they not achieve them, they re-calibrate in a way that increases their learning. Buckminster Fuller, successful inventor and best know for creating the geodesic dome, stated "A mistake is not a sin unless it is not admitted. The goal is not to avoid the mistakes, it's to avoid the sins." I would paraphrase this and say that not meeting a goal is not a sin unless there is no accountability or learning from not making the goal.

Thought Patterns

Thought Patterns refer to the way we talk to ourselves. It is the constant chatter that is playing through our minds moment by moment every day. All too often, we develop a thought pattern that is non-supportive to our growth and success. This pattern comes from the environment we grow up in and without awareness, we allow this pattern to continue, long after the environment itself has changed.

Certain archetypes can guide our thought patterns, and the four that sabotage our lives are those of drama, child, victim, and prostitute.

Briefly, drama creates fireworks that distract us from the reality we are creating; the child always needs help and their hand held; the victim is constantly blaming and reacting to a loss of control; and the prostitute is making commitments and never following through with them.

Thoughts create our emotions and our emotions create our results. An increased awareness in the way we think to ourselves offers us an opportunity to alter how we think. This alone can guide a person through success in life.

Self-Discipline

I believe discipline is a myth. It is a word that sounds great, and I hear constantly that certain kids need more discipline or that some adults need more discipline to achieve this or that. Not true.

Self-discipline comes down to two important things. The first is in what we value. For example, if I value fun, I may not be disciplined in my homework and studies. I state "may not" because the second important aspect of discipline is in how we define our values.

Please list out your top five values right now. And right next to your values, create a column and list your definitions for each value. In other words, what must happen for you to feel your value has been attained?

Using the above to create an example, if I had a top value of "fun" and my rule for this was I could not take anything seriously-would this hinder my financial success or limit it? Now, I may find opportunities to travel on a very limited budget, explore the deserts, and other experiences. However, when it came time to raise a family or hold a job, this value and rule combination would hinder me from being able to do so.

If I kept the value of "fun" and changed up my definition for this to: "I need to laugh with another person every day," I would then allow myself to take life seriously, and I would be almost guaranteed to achieve this everyday-thus feeling fulfillment.

The way we create our rules for what we value allows us to feel fulfillment, or not.

We create our values and we create our rules. Our behavior is guided by the rules we create for our values. Both values and rules can change as long as we have awareness and established goals.

Evaluation

Schools do offer evaluation of tests and comparative evaluation to other classmates in the school. Competitive sports offer the same insights. Unfortunately, these evaluations are limited to the external performance and they take the personal experience out of the evaluation process.

Evaluation is a tool to increase awareness. There are two windows that go into full awareness.

If these are my windows the first window represents what you see and I do not see. This can include some of the feedback being received in the schools right now. A teacher may see how I performed and I do not have the same perspective to evaluate my work. And this window can offer more insights into how we may be thinking and feeling. Our body language may give off messages that we do not readily see and the words we use may tell a message we have not heard just yet. This makes a great case for having mentors and coaches. They can share with us what we are unable to see-we are too close.

The second window is what I see and you do not see. This is my mask. If I choose to keep this close to me, it never gets into the light and can hinder success any time. By choosing to talk and share, I open the mask to other people and can increase my awareness-again an opportunity to assess whether I am limiting myself or not.

Summary

In summary, schools are teaching well on specific skills. However, the world is changing rather quickly, more so than ever with our connectivity and technology. The "skills of being" are increasingly important in a world where relationships make the difference in all affairs and our education must include the skills of being and not assume they are being learned at home or through media presentations. Indeed, they are not being taught with intention in many institutions. The institutions that include public and even many private education offerings never address the "skills of being" with intention. Instead, these skills are passed along through the passing of conditioned responses and not through teaching.

Matthew Scott K is a father, husband, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and coach, who is based out of Gunnison, Colorado. He is heavily invested in mentoring and the education of today's youth while focusing on working with men to develop strong fathers and community leaders.

Matthew currently coaches men in a boxing class he calls Fight 4 Your Life and through Ollin Academy. Mature masculinity incorporates the abilities of the four archetypes; King, Warrior, Magician, Lover. Through Matthew's writing and coaching he is developing the archetypes within each man to help heal and grow individuals to their fullest potential.

Readers can learn more about Matthew's lessons by visiting http://www.RulzoftheRoad.com.

Rulz of the Road is a collective resource for young adults to learn from experiences that are true-to-life. This is a growing community and you can submit questions, lessons, and learn at this site.

By Andrew Sherman

Kids drawstring backpacks are an essential supplementary whether they are off to school, or have any other activities and outings and especially for camping and daycares. If you want your kids to stay organized, you can help them by getting them a customized drawstring backpack that they can use when going for camps or for day care. With a little bit of custom printing, you can help your kids so that they have bags that fit with their personality.

You can also gift your kid with a customized drawstring backpack so that when they attend camps or have to go for preschool, they will feel special with their uniquely custom printed bags. Because drawstring backpacks are known for their lovely designs and their practical versatility, they are the best bags for kids to express themselves, their personality with custom printed drawstring backpacks.

The advantage of getting a custom printed backpack for your kids is that even before they start going to school, they will love to carry their belongings around either when they are going to and from daycare, when attending camps or even paying a visit to grandma's house. With the changes that come with growing up, you will want to provide your child with a new custom printed drawstring bag and they will require a new bag. Your child will be happy to have one of the cutest and the best available bags because theirs is custom printed with their favorite themed thing.

Drawstring backpacks are good for kids because access to items inside the backpack is made much easier for them and apart from using the bags from camps and daycare, the bags are practical and are the best for kids to carry just about anything including books when they have to go to school. A custom printed backpack is quite distinguishable from the rest of the bags. Most bags for kids are made from tough nylon and can endure heavy wear and tear for kids who are naughty and hyperactive.

Because drawstring backpacks have lightweight shoulder straps, they give more comfort to for the little ones by reducing the weight burden for the kids greatly. Some of these bags are made of cotton fabric that can easily be machine washed thus making them ideal for daily use by kids who can really get messy at times. This also makes the bags easy to manage. Some backpacks are custom printed with kid friendly images of animals and the imprinting makes them more appealing to kids as well as making them look cool for summer camps.

The advantage of these custom printed backpacks for children is their versatility and durability and the fact that they allow for the easiest loading and unloading. But the greater advantage when they are custom printed is that you can spot a small kid at a distance or in a crowded area because of their distinct colors and designs as well as the imprinted names of the backpacks. The idea is to make everything in a convenient manner for your kids.

DiscountBags has a wide variety of Promotional Tote Bags and Custom Printed Tote Bags all at the lowest prices guaranteed. Their website has a wide selection of cotton, jute, non-woven totes, backpacks, and more, which you can custom design in just a few short steps! Shop DiscountBags to get yours today.

By Louise M Evans

Bullying problems with children come from the children community so it is vital that we as parents equip our kids to know how to communicate with children. It certainly isn't rocket science but it is our responsibility.

To help children communicating see the tips for parents below

Tips for parents

Good childhood communication helps children to develop confidence, feelings of self-worth, and good relationships with others and be a deterrent to Bullies. Try these tips:

    The first step is to become the childs size by bending down, crouching or sitting at their eye level. Removing all intimidation will open up lines of communication.

    Now we need to teach children to listen... gently touch a child on the shoulder before you talk... say their name and speak using eye contact.

    Try being a bit sneaky and whisper.. This will encourage their listening skills. My favourite one is 'would you like to go the park'

    Parents that I meet with me know that I harp on this one all the time. That is just because I believe in it so much... Look a child in the eyes - Make eye contact with them. This teaches them two things 1. Eye contact is not scary and 2. No misunderstandings!

    Get your child to practice listening and talking: Give them a quiz about the article just on TV or in a book on the radio etc.

    Respect children - Speak to your child the way you would like to be spoken to. Sometimes we come down with the authoritive voice we cut off the line of communication. If we speak with a soft welcoming tone of voice your child will seek you out as a person to trust and confide in.

    Use conversation starters and prompters that invite children to say more about an incident or their feelings.

    Be kind with your words and your child's confidence will be built higher and will reinforce a healthy line of communication with you and your child. Tearing them down only affects their self esteem - Children with low self esteem will either be bullied or become a bully - One shows low self esteem inward (the bullies) and the other outward (the bully)

    Never assume your child knows they are loved.. Take every opportunity to let them know in words! "I Love You!"

    Take time to communicate with your child - A little effort goes a long way in the development of your child.

http://www.selfesteemcentre.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Self-Esteem-Centre-For-Children/149205628445046
@selfesteem2012

By Jennifer Little

The nature of being a teenager means there are certain problems every individual must face: physical changes that shift self-awareness and determine self-concept (often for the remainder of the individual's life), relationships with and responsibilities to parents and siblings at home, relationships with peers at school, and activities and responsibilities at school and in the community. All of these arise as the teenager shifts from being dependent and close to family members to becoming an independent young adult functioning in the ever-widening world around him/her.

Hormonal changes create the physical changes which direct attention and focus on the opposite sex as well as self and emotional swings (which teens are often unaware of as they emotionally react moment-to-moment). The growing brain functions drive teens to want to make decisions, although they are usually woefully unprepared for predicting outcomes and dealing with consequences of their actions, and separate themselves from the perceived over-protective parents who have difficulties with the volatile personality shifts and mental capabilities and resort to habitually treating them as children.

Their rejection of parents whom they perceive as not understanding them (and usually don't because it is difficult to understand a being so mercurial as a teenager) drives them to their peers. The teens' desire to be "unique" yet acceptable to their peers means their fashion sense blends with their friends' rather than what parents find acceptable. At all costs, they strive to have friends to isolate and protect them from the adversarial world of adults, yet those friends are also so self-consumed there is little protection. Each teen can shatter the flimsy veneer of acceptability by others with harsh and judgmental statements and comments that ridicule, bully, reject or condemn a fragile ego and emerging self-concept that will influence the individual's potentials for the remainder of his/her life.

All of these are problems that every person on the planet has experienced as part of their personal developmental processes. What current teens must deal with additionally, as adults are also, are the external influences of society (technology and media) that change our personal and group relationships (including governmental policies and functions) as well as our economy (currently shifting from economically-driven manufacturing to information management). Decades of habitual consumerism and selfish desires are being tempered by awareness of the interconnections of environmental impact (survival for all species) and all economies of the world.

Teenagers must face not only their personal development challenges but also how they are going to fit into a world of complex relationships among forces that may only seem as vague influences in their lives. What they must face are the economics of survival in a world that has outgrown the structures and rules of the past. Individuals' self-interests must submit to the needs of the greater good, and needs must take precedence over desires. This will change the balance of power in social and interpersonal relationships.

The question is: will teenagers be prepared for the world they must enter? Time will tell.

Jennifer Little, Ph.D.

All children can succeed in school. Parents can help their children by teaching the foundational skills that schools presume children have. Without the foundation for schools' academic instruction, children needlessly struggle and/or fail. Their future becomes affected because they then believe they are less than others, not able to succeed or achieve or provide for themselves or their families. Visit http://parentsteachkids.com to learn how to directly help your child and http://easyschoolsuccess.com to learn what is needed for education reform efforts to be successful.

By Isaac Ofori

It is very unfortunate that the so called musicians, movie actors and actresses that we accord them as stars are nothing but mere perpetuators of moral decadence and promoters of socially misfit activities. The situation is very alarming as the very media which are to condemn and correct these moral deficiencies are the very people who give standing ovation to these so called stars. These stars and the media have become inseparable and the media explicitly use their products to make their business booming knowing very well the consequences. What is particularly lamentable is how these stars have taken the advantages of the current platform to merchandized and perpetuate their morally degrading activities. The West of which we claim to copy and often blamed, at the same time, for our woes, probably would have regretted for not correcting their mistakes which has now become a millstone around their neck. This we know very well but despite this we have given no apparent attention to the thought of what the future hold for the unborn generation. Our movies and songs are becoming full of immoral showbiz and yet we prosecute rapists and other social defiant forgetting their activities are fueled by the inspiration they get from their mentors, the so called stars. We seem to be getting unconcerned and do not even make any slight attempt to question the course of our time.

Immoral lyrics and pornography which was abhorred in our society once, is now gaining firm root in our cultural dispensation. These two have formed the main basis for all immoral lifestyle among the youth. The question is who caused what? It indeed pathetic! The future results of these moral defaults are predictable as the moral attitudes of the youth stand questionable. What best are doing to arrest the situation before it becomes a plague?

The activities of these celebrities or stars carry so strong a force that they are penetrating the granite barriers of Christian righteousness. The Muslim counterpart cannot hold the front line as the youth see no wrong with embracing a new found life. The traditional norms and values simply have been relegated to the background since they do not hold water anymore in the midst of all these immoral lifestyles. Religious leaders are indeed groveling with the situation as anything displayed or sang by these celebrities or stars are carried into their domain for exhibition. The fear of losing the trust of their members has kept many of these leaders mute and unconcerned.

Necessity is virtually laid on all of us to make sure we do not hail any individual behaviour or lifestyle when it is accompanied with moral shortfalls. Religious leaders should stand on their grounds and wage a moral war vehemently against any moral defaulter who calls himself or herself a star or celebrity. This point to the fact that moral degrading behaviour among many is as a result of the negative influences the so called stars' movies and songs have on them. What have these people done that they should be celebrated? Let us be serious and face the realities of the situation and of our time before the unexpected hit and confront the future generation.