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Beating children is not the answer
Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2003
THE EDITOR: Corporal punishment in schools is not the answer since not even law enforcement is effective in reducing crime. As a matter of fact, corporal punishment may instil more violent and rebellious behaviours among youths. Remember, children live what they learn.
Instead, let's examine the homes where children live. What values and morals are passed on to them? What about the school environment? Who are their peers and who are their role models? Is it the drug pusher or the bandit? What about family relationships and family type? Do they belong to the modern family type called the "barrel family"?
Are fathers taking the responsibility of parenting seriously? What about the children's spiritual development? How many parents encourage their children to pray or to go to church?
Now examine the role corporal punishment plays. Besides the infliction of bodily pain on the child what benefits are derived from it? The child continues to indulge in deviant behaviours and sometimes behaves even worse.
So, Madame Minister, let's attack the problem of our youths at the root. Introduce the family court so we can promptly address family matters. Provide good role models for our youths through community mentoring and school mentorship programmes.
Employ more social workers in schools and include social development on the curriculum.
Let prayer be a significant component of the beginning of a school day.
Joanne Spence-Baptiste
Social Worker
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