“Don’t bring your hooligan attitudes from your neighbourhood into ours!” A mother screamed at a teenager as he continued taunting her from a distance. Just a few minutes ago, the teenager and his friends were enjoying a game of street soccer against opponents below 12 years old. His friends and he were visibly bigger and those watching were rooting for the “home team” of younger boys.
When spectators accused one of the older boys of unsporting rough play, play stopped, and angry words were exchanged all around. Recognising that they were not welcome, the older boys left the court grudgingly, hurling insults as they were leaving.
These boys lived 6 bus stops away and upon reaching home, the boy who was scolded related how he was called a hooligan to his mother. Mom was angry that her child was spoken to in this manner as she felt that it was untoward of any adult to be screaming at a teenager let alone her son. She resolved “to have some words with the woman who shouted at my son.”
That evening the woman who had shouted at the boy reached out to his mother. It was a gesture that diffused a potential long-drawn conflict between 2 groups of young people. They acknowledged each other’s concern for the well-being of children in their respective neighbourhoods, their challenges as parents and their responsibilities as caring adults. Importantly, they spoke about the needs of children and youth. The mother who apologized learnt that there was no street soccer court in the youths’ neighbourhood and they were often feeling very restless.
A few days later, a colleague braced herself to stop a fight when the youth arrived at the street soccer court. However, the home team welcomed the competition and players exchanged handshakes before the game. After refereeing the game, our colleague expressed her appreciation for the fair play displayed by both teams. For the record, the younger boys won and the youth good-naturedly said they would return for a rematch.
“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” – Buddha
