Dear Editor,
Children live what they learn and learn what they live - Dorothy Law Nolte
This outlines the different traits that children pick up from those around them.
A few months ago, a ward of the state was attacked in an adult correctional institution. Then the country heard of a seven-year-old committing a crime that one would usually expect of an adults — breaking and entering. But this was worse, as the child tried to poison his school's food.
We cannot turn back the hands of time. There are some inherent problems that can be linked back to slavery and its effect on the family. Our culture, however vibrant and rich, perpetuates a cycle of marginalisation, poverty for the majority, single-parenthood which is mostly matriarchal, absentee fathers and the glorification of “badness”. Our children are affected as they become products of their environment. They are forged by their surroundings and moulded into patterns that are almost irreparable.
I am close to a young man that goes to a training institution, where he boards in the central region of the island. He wears two pants — shorts with pockets and school pants — at all times, even to his bed. In the short time that he has been there, he has replicated this behaviour at his home. Why? If he leaves his things in the locker or on his bed or anywhere for that matter, the other students steal them. Their young innocence has been stolen in ways some of us cannot imagine and would prefer not to. However it all comes down to parenting. Children did not ask to be here; they were simply produced by mindless children themselves.
Despite being at the age to know the simple difference between good and bad, I heard of a little boy —no more than six or seven — who went for counselling. He was asked what he would like to become. His response, “mi waan tief clothes offa line like mi fada”.
What will happen when God returns and asks for an account of what we have done for to and for His children? As it will be the public that facing the onslaught; divine intervention will be needed with a little community parenting.
C Campbell
UWI student
Children live what they learn and learn what they live - Dorothy Law Nolte
This outlines the different traits that children pick up from those around them.
A few months ago, a ward of the state was attacked in an adult correctional institution. Then the country heard of a seven-year-old committing a crime that one would usually expect of an adults — breaking and entering. But this was worse, as the child tried to poison his school's food.
We cannot turn back the hands of time. There are some inherent problems that can be linked back to slavery and its effect on the family. Our culture, however vibrant and rich, perpetuates a cycle of marginalisation, poverty for the majority, single-parenthood which is mostly matriarchal, absentee fathers and the glorification of “badness”. Our children are affected as they become products of their environment. They are forged by their surroundings and moulded into patterns that are almost irreparable.
I am close to a young man that goes to a training institution, where he boards in the central region of the island. He wears two pants — shorts with pockets and school pants — at all times, even to his bed. In the short time that he has been there, he has replicated this behaviour at his home. Why? If he leaves his things in the locker or on his bed or anywhere for that matter, the other students steal them. Their young innocence has been stolen in ways some of us cannot imagine and would prefer not to. However it all comes down to parenting. Children did not ask to be here; they were simply produced by mindless children themselves.
Despite being at the age to know the simple difference between good and bad, I heard of a little boy —no more than six or seven — who went for counselling. He was asked what he would like to become. His response, “mi waan tief clothes offa line like mi fada”.
What will happen when God returns and asks for an account of what we have done for to and for His children? As it will be the public that facing the onslaught; divine intervention will be needed with a little community parenting.
C Campbell
UWI student