About: “There’s something about Jamaica.”
There’s Something about Jamaica’ is a weekly post on www.mckoysnews.com. Amber Crowl (DJ/Host/Promoter/Activist/Writer) shares her views on Jamaica’s Politics, Economy and Social Culture.
Amber welcomes your questions and comments www.mckoysnews.com and you can send emails to irieamber@gmail.com
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT JAMAICA, WHICH IF NOT TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY, WILL CONTINUE TO INFLUENCE AND SHAPE GENERATIONS OF JAMAICANS TO COME.
Parenting in Jamaica is a matter of urgency and great concern. I know that there are parents who try their best to teach, love and nurture their children to the best of their abilities.
I know hard-working Jamaican Mothers and Fathers who go above and beyond, to ensure a good life for their children; and, I can understand the stories of the many single mothers who have to be mom and dad to our children.
When these unprepared young people do not get the support and help that they need in raising their children, (which they rarely get) we find that they do so in a vicious cycle of trial and error. The babies who are born into such situations have no choice but to learn what they live. So may times what they are learning is not what they need to know. Another example of how parenting needs an intervention in Jamaica is supported by the fact that there are many youth gangs in the country. Gangs are formed mostly among young boys in School and then later extended into our communities. Let’s think about it, how can so many young men be convinced to join gangs, if they are coming from stable homes with the conscious parenting?
Why are there so many stories of young girls having relationships with way older men, while mothers are comfortable collecting that man’s money from their daughters? and why are there so many single mothers raising children in Jamaica? Fatherless boys and girls are lacking an essential component in their upbringing – which is a Father. And the last example I would like to give on the subject of parenting in Jamaica, is that of the overuse of the internet/ social media by children and teenagers. Where are the parents when their children are roaming the web looking at all sorts of graphic images, traumatising scenes and even participating in illicit activities?
It is not fair to children to have adults taking them through their trials and errors or for them to go through a childhood and adolescence filled with stress, neglect or guilt.
I know that there is no one set of rules for parenting. Each family will choose their way or keep to certain traditions; I realise that the lack of parenting in Jamaica is a part of the vicious system which governs or society. But I also know that values and morals are the cornerstones to building a better nation, and are essential for positive results from our youths.
Unless we instill the right ideas, values and expectations into our children from early; we face an uncertain future.
Put aside our pride, ignorance and selfish desires and play more active roles in our children’s lives. Build their confidence and show love and we will see a better Jamaica in the future.
Thanks for stopping by. Join me next week for another edition of “There’s Something about Jamaica” and don’t forget to like, share and comment on mckoysnews.com. Email questions to irieamber@gmail.com and you can find me on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @djambeririefm