Dear Editor,
It is a human tendency to take many things in life for granted. Recently I was required to source some personal data from a group of young adults. At first I thought how simple and routine such an exercise would be. However, I was in for a bit of shock.
I asked a particular youngster for her full name, which she told me. However, for this specific purpose one's middle name was optional. She knew her middle name, but was unable to spell it. I was amazed and a bit embarrassed for her. I have always taken for granted that by age 16 all children would know how to spell their names. The best this youngster could do was to tell me her seven-letter middle name. It is quite logical to think this young adult might have never seen her middle name in print. How is this possible I asked myself?
One's name and address are among the first things a child should learn at home. There is clearly a breakdown somewhere. Occasionally, one hears of students who were seen wandering the road and when asked where they live they are clueless. When asked to give the name of their parents they are only able to give their parents' aliases, "Pam Pam". This is certainly not good parenting. It is necessary that parents and guardians spend more time with their children, especially during the formative years to ensure that every child can at least give basic information about themselves and their parents.
This incident speaks to a wider issue outside of the classroom setting. It speaks to the breakdown of family life in the society. The home should be the first place of teaching and learning. Some may argue it is a case of neglect on the part of the parent/guardian. However, there comes a time when the child must take some responsibility for the direction of his/her life. There are too many youngsters in society who are clueless and void of direction. In the same manner in which we berate those parents and guardians who have been found wanting in terms of their responsibilities, we must also put some pressure on our young adults to become more socially responsible and responsive. As we make preparations to commemorate Child's Month 2014, let us redouble and recommit our efforts in making the circumstances of each child better. It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes all of us as Jamaicans to move the country forward.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
The village must raise the child
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It is a human tendency to take many things in life for granted. Recently I was required to source some personal data from a group of young adults. At first I thought how simple and routine such an exercise would be. However, I was in for a bit of shock.
I asked a particular youngster for her full name, which she told me. However, for this specific purpose one's middle name was optional. She knew her middle name, but was unable to spell it. I was amazed and a bit embarrassed for her. I have always taken for granted that by age 16 all children would know how to spell their names. The best this youngster could do was to tell me her seven-letter middle name. It is quite logical to think this young adult might have never seen her middle name in print. How is this possible I asked myself?
One's name and address are among the first things a child should learn at home. There is clearly a breakdown somewhere. Occasionally, one hears of students who were seen wandering the road and when asked where they live they are clueless. When asked to give the name of their parents they are only able to give their parents' aliases, "Pam Pam". This is certainly not good parenting. It is necessary that parents and guardians spend more time with their children, especially during the formative years to ensure that every child can at least give basic information about themselves and their parents.
This incident speaks to a wider issue outside of the classroom setting. It speaks to the breakdown of family life in the society. The home should be the first place of teaching and learning. Some may argue it is a case of neglect on the part of the parent/guardian. However, there comes a time when the child must take some responsibility for the direction of his/her life. There are too many youngsters in society who are clueless and void of direction. In the same manner in which we berate those parents and guardians who have been found wanting in terms of their responsibilities, we must also put some pressure on our young adults to become more socially responsible and responsive. As we make preparations to commemorate Child's Month 2014, let us redouble and recommit our efforts in making the circumstances of each child better. It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes all of us as Jamaicans to move the country forward.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
The village must raise the child
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