Hoping Many of You Read This and Think About What to Do and How to Do It ... Sophia Hovsepyan

Have you ever thought about the generation born between 1999-2002? This is what MP Sophia Hovsepyan wrote on her Facebook page.

She specifically noted: “I often think and realize that our society is in a heavy lethargy. Some of the boys were killed, while others are either in the army or gradually being demobilized. Are we as a society ready to properly welcome these young people, who have seen everything during those 44 days and have involuntarily matured in an instant? The fact that the state is not prepared and does not even show willingness is evident. The reasons are as objective as they are subjective. And what about society… The demobilized are returning to society with a different worldview and perceptions of life, while society, which is stuck in its own ways and politicized, does not even notice that the cheerful boy sent to the army two years ago has returned mature, very serious, but at the same time with a great sense of loss and pain. He returned missing the friend with whom he shared bread and defended the borders, feeling powerless that he could do nothing to save him or often pondering the expression, ‘Why him and not me?’ The ones who have not been demobilized have their own problems, a new structure, new adverse conditions, living in daily tension and uncertainty, hoping to get to a warm corner of home soon—a safe place, searching for the importance of setting new goals, and so on and so forth…

One could describe the mental state at length, but nothing in their lives will change as long as we as a state and society do not reflect on creating conditions where they will return to a safe, caring environment, protected and valued. I also do not exclude that many will return with an insatiable desire to leave the country to avoid dealing with an unhealthy society, bitter reality, the cold graves of detached neighbors and friends, and their unexpected 'incapacity.'

The situation for girls is also dire; some lost their loved ones, others lost the hope of secretly dreaming that a classmate, neighbor, or even a local boy would come back from the army one day and pay attention to them or appreciate the changes in their appearance over the past two years. Society is not ready for this either and has not even thought about preparing for it or valued that its role is very significant in the spiritual wellness of these young people, in the creation of faith and hope for physical existence and future...

I wrote this hoping that many of you would read it and think about what to do and how to do it... Perhaps thinking about these issues is already half the job, and a step toward creating a caring community. Good morning, people!”