THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN THE Gleaner of March 24, there was a letter from CONCERNED who was concerned that his/her 18-year-old son and other teenagers could have no hope in this country. In an obvious reference to the Braeton incident, he/she asked, "Is this how we deal with delinquent teens?"
To my mind, CONCERNED does not have a problem but rather an opportunity, a golden opportunity to make a positive impact on the Jamaican scene of crime and violence by helping to prevent delinquency in teens.
Teens today do not wish to be 'preached to' by their parents, but it is a fact that parents can be the most effective antidote to delinquency, not the state or the police these come in after the parents have failed.
How many parents warn or advise their children about the company they keep or the places to which they go. Do parents encourage children in school and in church youth groups. Do parents teach their children to obey the laws of the country and to respect the life and property of all? It is true that many of our children do not have the benefit of home parents, but there are institutions (maybe not enough) which need to be strengthened to tackle the problem of crime and violence among teens in Jamaica. How about a
'Parents Against Crime and Violence'?
Ms. Joan Wollaston is the 'Mom of the Moment'.
She must have done something right to be able to give to Jamaica, Ambassador the Hon. Courtney Walsh. Parents, look to your sons, they are too precious to be lost.
I am, etc.,
ELSIE SAYLE
Kingston 6
