Aristorism

Aristorism on our campus: stemming the tide
By Folarin Samson, 400l Mass Communication, Unilag childofdkingdom@yahoo.com/08030572852

When Nollywood star actress, Funke Akindele released her block buster movie ‘Jenifa’, everyone applauded the creativity and ingenuity she brought to bear in the verisimilitude. The young actress was widely celebrated. She won numerous awards and prizes. To crown it all, she became Globacom ambassador after sealing a contract with the telecommunication giant. Eureka ! Bravo! Bottom line: Funke made her cool money and her popularity soared to the heavens.

But before we are lost in the fulsome complement that trailed her box office movie, there is need to see its contribution to the society in moral terms. To me, that is the acid test of the success of her story. Any change in the lifestyle of promiscuous ladies to whom the movie was addressed? Has the number of skimpily dressed seductress reduced on our campuses today? Have the big flashy borrowed cars stopped cruising our boulevard at ungodly hours of the night? I am sure to these posers we have a common answer which is an emphatic NO.

So, here is my surmise. The movie industry cannot help us combat the monstrous malady of glorified prostitution. You may doubt my conclusion, but it is factual. People are only excited by the transient passion films kindle which dies no sooner than it comes. After all, is it not called ‘the world of make believe’? Nothing real; all imagined, fabricated by an egocentric movie genius who is more driven by quest for money and fame than societal change. Movies only have entertainment values and nothing more. Any didactic purpose is lost in the flurry of thrills and frills that eclipse the whole essence of the movie. I appear to be stereotyping Nollywood. My apologies.

I have no aversion for Nollywood, I only intend to make you realize that aristorism as a problem cannot be solved by child’s play. It is a serious issue that requires a strong and determined action plan. What makes it hard to put an end to this scourge is the moral pervasion and decadence that has beclouded the sense of judgment of some of our university authorities.

But what is aristorism?
Aristorism is the practice of old shameless wealthy men chasing teenagers and young undergraduate girls whom they are old enough to father. It is very rampant in the urban centres which are infested with various forms of behavioural and sexual anomalies due to exposure to wild civilization.

Different reasons have been adduced for this heathenism. Money has been fingered as the principal cause. Girls from poor homes are more vulnerable because they are made to believe that they can make ends meet by sleeping with their father’s age mates. Others join the band wagon in a bid to feel ‘belong’ or join the ‘big girls’ on campus and be able to affords expensive gadgets and accessories. Whatever the reason, aristorism is evil and should be dealt with decisively. Apart from the high possibility of contracting deadly diseases or becoming a victim of ritualists who callously dismember their preys, there are more reasons the phenomenon should be halted or reduced to the barest minimum.

Aristorism diminishes our societal moral values and sacrifices chastity and purity on the altar of materialism. It makes nonsense of campus ladies and puts their virtue in question. Aristorism is a vicious vice that makes young men doubt the home value and worth of ladies. Our educational system is not spared. Unlike the days of yore when students would read over night, today’s reality is a far cry and a cause for lamentation and sober reflection. The night is spent in a hotel down town and in the early hours of the morning, the unfortunate stinking lady is brought back to school by her shameless randy ‘sugar daddy’, after placing a dole of filthy lucre on her lap.

So what can be done? Or should we look on, pretend as if all is well while things fester and our universities turn to brothels at night? How do we salvage such a bad situation as this that has discredited our school system and made it appear a breeding ground for ladies of easy virtue?

First, parents need to be concerned about the welfare of their wards. Parental negligence is the root of moral decadence and immoral indulgence. A periodic visit can go a long way in forestalling such this evil. They should ask who their children walk with, how they fend for themselves and other pertinent questions. Second, there is need for a reorientation campaign. Aggressive publicity should be mounted through every available media to redirect the minds of ladies and point them to the hazards of such a useless, worthless venture. Also, the university management should work out a financial empowerment scheme to help indigent students. A work-study programme is a good option. Besides, there is the need to beef up the security unit. A strict stance should be taken on campus kerb-crawlers by interrogating, embarrassing and investigating them. Furthermore, schools with students unions should unite to fight this scourge. But this should be properly managed so it does not degenerate to harassment of innocent visitors. It is high time we all arose to save our university, nay our nation, from moral degradation and sexual pervasion that are endemic in our campus community.