Poor parenting wreaking havoc on our society

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE MOTHERS’ Union in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands is alarmed at the number of violent acts inflicted on Jamaican citizens, especially our children.

How have we reached this sorry state of affairs? Why are all these adults and youngsters toting guns and wreaking havoc in our society? What is their ultimate aim?

The breakdown in society that is so evident these days, can be attributed to poor parenting. Children are left to their own devices (electronic in many cases), and social media seems to have replaced good parenting practices. The Mothers’ Union has begun to look at parenting in a serious way, because that’s where it all begins. There is an active parenting programme in all parishes, where trained facilitators expose parents to a 10-topic course. Furthermore, three branches of the Mothers’ Union in Kingston and St Andrew have already established ‘Parents Places’ at their churches (All Saints in downtown Kingston, Church of St Mary the Virgin on Molynes Road, and St Margaret’s in Liguanea). We encourage others to do the same.

When an infant is baptized in the Anglican Church, the Mothers’ Union places that child’s name and contact information in a ‘cradle roll’ and keeps in touch with the parents during the child’s formative years, to monitor his or her progress. We urge all parents to take their children to church and monitor their progress in a similar way. Get the children involved in wholesome activities and apply firm discipline, not abuse, when they get out of hand. There are parenting programmes that can teach parents how to apply disciplinary measures without inflicting harm upon the children.

Each parent can, by his or her action, help to rescue the nation. It can be done, but we must begin now.

CLAUDETTE CARTER, PRO Mothers’ Union Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands