Strengthening of families and good old values key to solving our social problems

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has released statistics for non-sexual offences. They relate to serious crimes and among the alleged offenders were Police officers.

The statistics tell the same story as the figures on sexual offences like rape and sexual assaults. These crimes are a scourge on our communities.

We cannot sit back and relax while these crimes are being perpetrated against innocent people. The human toll is immeasurable and is costing our nation a lot in terms of people who can be contributing positively.

All these anti-social behaviour and criminal activities need urgent attention. We must seriously look at addressing these social problems from their roots. Every offender comes from a family. It’s time we go back to the family and strengthen this institution. The family should take responsibility for its members. It should know their whereabouts and activities.

This is where parental responsibility is absolutely important. Maybe it’s useful to hold training workshop for parents and empower them to take ownership of their families. It is being said so many times and it’s worth repeating – the home is the first classroom. This is where good values and principles are taught. Studies have shown that children who are well grounded with wholesome upbringing at home tend to achieve and succeed in life. They tend to be law abiding and productive, even under difficult circumstances and extreme hardship.

Many of them hold dear their cultural and religious values because they take pride in continuing a legacy of hard work, honesty and sacrifice. They learn and treasure the biblical teaching that faith without work is dead. Nothing comes free and easy in in this world. Some of them come from humble backgrounds, but they have managed to achieve through these values and principles that have stood the test of time.

Crime is often influenced by the urge for instant selfgratification. It fulfils a desire that does not take into consideration the damage, the physical pain and emotional trauma that it inflicts on innocent victims. We need to teach our people to work for their living. We cannot keep blaming Government or others for the challenges we go through.

COVID-19 has opened our eyes to what we can do to survive this crisis. It has exposed the resourcefulness of our people. Those who were laid off have resorted to alternative sources of livelihood.

There is no doubt they have grown stronger in character from this experience.

It is the better and right option than looking for an easy way out to survive by breaking the law and hurting people. Breaching the jaw is not worth it. That’s what we need to teach our children and the best place to do it is at home.