The older generations will recall the times when, in their younger days, their only means of entertainment was a walk down Republic Street in Valletta or along the Sliema promenade. Cinemas and theatres did exist and were well-attended, but few could afford to go there regularly. Strict parents established an “early” return home rule, and meeting people from the opposite sex was made as hard as possible. Paceville was still a very quiet village and no-one could have ever imagined what it would become many years down the line.

Things change and, today, the younger generations have more means of entertainment on their plate. As said, Paceville has evolved into a hub of pubs, night-clubs and restaurants. But Paceville, although the most popular, is not the only area that provides what is now known as the night-life. There are other pockets of entertainment that have cropped up over the years, especially when summer comes.

While these days it is hard to imagine the kind of lifestyle that young Maltese people were used to just after World War Two and a couple of decades beyond, the state-of-affairs today is not without its problems.

Whereas, for example, in the past young people used to fight for their extra hour away from home – and we are talking from 9pm to 10pm – this seems to no longer be an issue. Most parents seem to have accepted that it is impossible to expect their 18-year-old son or daughter to be home by a given time. Society seems to have accepted this as well.

With many youngsters buying a car as soon as they can drive, and given that, apparently, the night-life does not start before midnight, young people today have a free hand. It is pointless to impose a curfew when this is not followed week after week.

The time factor is, therefore, not a major issue any more where youths aged 18 years and over are concerned, although it must be said that there are many parents who spend many sleepless nights waiting up for their children – because, after all, they still remain their children, even when they become adults.

It is, however, an issue when it comes to dealing with youngsters still aged under 18. Should a 14-year-old be seen roaming the Paceville streets at 1am? That is perhaps a question that the boy or girl’s parents should be asking themselves.

But, apart from the time factor, there are other, perhaps more important, issues at stake.

Why is it that, today, many young people feel that they should get tipsy at every opportunity, many of them every weekend? And why do others experiment with drugs? Can they not enjoy themselves without alcohol or illegal substances? Do they have to have six or seven pints of beer in order to relax and “be themselves”?

And, what happens next? Will they live to regret it, for example, when they have a relationship with someone whom – had they been in their right senses – they would have avoided? Will they drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, putting their lives and those of others at risk?

When one is young, one has the feeling of “it can’t happen to me”. But, just as these things happen to others, they can happen to everyone.

Of course, everyone is entitled to entertainment and, in today’s rather stressful life, it is important to be able to relax in the company of people one likes to be with. But there is a limit to everything.

Young people have to understand that they too have their responsibilities. They should learn to have fun and enjoy themselves within certain parameters, out of respect to themselves and also to other people – in particular their parents.