Many families face a crisis when one of their children assumes a rastafarian lifestyle. In these cases, it is important to understand the significance of Rastafarianism, its place in the lives of young people and how to deal with your child should he or she become a Rasta.

What is the significance of the rastafarian movement?

Rastafarianism is another space which exists outside of the social, moral, political and religious norms and beliefs of established society.

Why are adolescents vulnerable?

Adolescence is the period of transition from childhood to young adulthood and is a very turbulent and difficult period for many children. It is a period when young people are emerging into adulthood and are attempting to assert their independence, freedom and to establish a sense of identity and individuality. At the same time, parents are attempting to provide guidance to their children, to ensure that they pursue their education, make appropriate career choices, choose appropriate friends and establish relationships that are supportive.

Many adolescents view the establishment, consisting of their families, family friends, the church and the government, as being repressive and controlling as they try to assert and affirm themselves.

A challenge to the established system

Groups like rastafarians and hippies share many things in common and some perceive them as revolutions against the established order. These groups present a space for young people; a space to that allows them to pursue a belief system, to pursue a religion, to pursue a dietary code and to assume a lifestyle in rejection of their parents, the wider society and the establishment.

The psychological benefits to young people

These groups reject western values, middle class ideals and western religious beliefs. They encourage the living in communes (in some instances in natural environment), they espouse a natural lifestyle and vegetarian diets and they promote the use of cannabis as part of the religious experience.

In fact, the sanction of cannabis use is one of the factors making this lifestyle attractive to many young people. Groups such as rastafarianians and the hippie cultures are few of the safe spaces in which young people can retreat and use drugs such as cannabis without condemnation and criticisms.

It is the opinion of this writer that rastafarianism symbolises different things to different people - it is a way of life, a religion and a cultural expression, but I am by no means suggesting that it is an unacceptable or inappropriate lifestyle. To each is own.

Thi lifestyle presents a certain amount of freedom and autonomy to youth and allows for a different level of personal growth and spiritual maturation. Many young persons accept thi lifestyle as a means of rejecting parental value system, a way of rebellion and a means of dealing with deep-seated pain.

For parents who have brought up their children in the traditional lifestyle it may be very painful and some parents view it as a personal failure and embarrassment. Many parents will literally throw a child out of the house if he or she becomes a rastafarian.

How to respond to the early warning sign:

1. Look out for the early warning signs such as the locking of the hair, the smoking of cannabis and the tendency to withdraw from society.

2. Maintain communication: Always maintain communication with your child especially when they are going through a rebellious phase. Avoid confrontations. Do not be judgmental or over critical. Avoid any attempt to compare your child with a sibling or other children.

3. Choose your battles: The battle lines are sometimes rigidly drawn in adolescence. As a parent learn to choose your battle and choose them well. Remember, it is not important to win the battle as much as it is important to win the war.

4. Many battles in adolescence are won through patience, the demonstration of love, care and understanding. also.

5.Seek professional advice early: Once you begin to see the early warning signs of rebellious behaviour, drug use and confrontation, seek professional advice. Unfortunately,too many parents make the move when it is too late!

6. If your child chooses to exercise his or her rights to pursue a rastafarian lifestyle after all intervention, accept it! However painful it may be, love that child and continue to be the best parent that you can. Do not make your child's choice of a lifestyle destroy that relationship.