THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE TRAGEDY involving the seven young men in Braeton is a wake-up call to all Jamaicans. It brought home forcibly to us the fact that our young men are in a crisis and it is time for us as a nation to do something and not just talk as we are accustomed to do.
There can be no single approach to solve the problem nor will it go away overnight. My proposal is that as a country we should start a public campaign targeting young men with the aim of helping them to chart a new course in life for themselves. Several seminars could be held, highlighting areas from which they can benefit. Counselling centres for young men should be set up especially for those who have dropped out of school and deportees who really need to find a new direction. There could be facilities from which these young men could get financial help to put back their lives on a sound track.
For the young ones at home whom we still have control over, we should love them, cherish them and let them know and feel that they are special to us as adults. However, we should not forget to give generous doses of punishment when they go wrong. Let them know why the punishment is given. Parents and other caregivers should teach these boys the difference between right and wrong and the sacredness of life. The importance of education as a tool for upward mobility should be highly emphasised.
Those of us in the society who do not have children of our own, let us help the parents to raise them. The old African proverb states: 'It takes a village to raise a child'. Let this manifest in our society again because it used to be so.
Teachers and other caregivers should redouble their efforts because it will pay off in the long-run. It is hard work and we are already working hard but let us do more.
Let us make it our business because when these boys appear on our doorsteps with their guns we are powerless against them. The cheapness of life is so highly pervasive in our society and many, especially among our young have come to believe it. Let us do our part now before it is too late.
I am, etc.,
VIVIENNE PITTER
Cooreville Gardens
Kingston 20
