Mothers and fathers: Front-line crime-fighters
PARENTING PARTNERS Caribbean (PPC) has sometimes referred to positive parenting as ‘frontline crime-fighting’. Why? Because the parent-child relationship is the central engine for the child’s development and will shape whether that child grows with self-respect and respect for others, with skills to make good decisions, and with the strength of character to avoid bad ones.
Imagine the child about to be born. He or she has lived for nine months in a warm, secure, quiet, cozily dark womb. Then suddenly, they struggle out, uncomfortably for all concerned, into bright lights, many hands, noise, and what else?
It is the ‘what else’ that will make the very essential difference in the child’s development over the next few years. Whether the child was a planned and wanted child, or a burdensome accident; whether the child is received by two welcoming parents or only one; whether there are
others in the infant’s world who will be happy at his or her arrival – these factors already are key elements of the child’s first environment. Why do these factors make such a difference? Because science has proven that the early development of the child’s brain – and thus its entire potential – is a direct result of the interactions within his or her closest world.
A CHILD IS BORN INTO RELATIONSHIPS
The child’s mother, father, other significant caregivers in and outside the family, lay the foundation for all aspects of development – physical, social, emotional, mental, spiritual or moral. While it is important that one or more persons see to the child’s hygiene, safety, food and clothing, it is equally important to provide sensory stimulation if full emotional and intellectual development are to take place. Singing, talking, touching, etc., are all simple, yet essential building blocks in the development of many aspects of the infant’s brain. Research has shown how a child’s social and emotional development, and the development of his or her values, are tied absolutely to the relationships with parents and close caregivers. Emotional health must begin in TRUST. Emotional health and confidence grow when children know they are LOVED and VALUED by those closest to them.
Children across Jamaica have told researchers how hurt they are by harsh physical and verbal treatment from their parents and guardians – this is true across social classes. Especially when children perceive that they are treated this way unfairly, and/or for reasons they don’t understand; they become angry. Angry children can’t study well, they can’t relate well to others, and they often act out this anger in unacceptable behaviour.
This is why we say that positive parenting is on the front line in fighting Jamaica’s spiraling crime rates. Positive parents who create environments – seven in volatile communities – in which children feel loved, valued and protected are the true crime-fighting heroes of our time. Parents who sow those critical positive seeds in their children, in spite of the difficult times and stressful conditions, must be saluted and encouraged.
This article is submitted by PPC, a non-governmental organisation with more than 25 years of experience in developing and conducting training, producing parenting support materials (manuals, short video dramas) which are available for purchase. Contact: cragsb@yahoo.com and copy glynissalmon@yahoo.com.