THE EDITOR, Sir:
PLEASE ALLOW me to make a few comments on the socialisation of children. That I consider as being at the heart of the dilemma currently facing our country.
I am unaware of any successful attempts to socialise animals to walk or talk like us. Yet animals could influence our young in such a profound manner. With those thoughts in mind, far greater care should be exercised in ensuring that our children are socialised according to accepted societal norms.
The lessons should be quite clear. About 20 per cent of our people are classified as illiterate. It means that the society as a whole has not adequately socialised them to understand, accept and internalise its norms, values and desired patterns of behaviour, through education and training. This leaves a large segment of the population vulnerable to other influences with disastrous consequences.
Socialising every child born in a society - through education and training - is the right, prudent and decent thing to do. In the long run, it is also one of enlightened self-interest and one that is far less costly than the phenomenally disruptive alternative associated with our unpleasant experiences during the past several years. Consider for a moment the lions, tigers, elephants and other animals on the vast plains of Africa. If one in every five operated outside the 'norms' of their pride, harem, pack or herd, the situation could be quite chaotic. Even more devastating: they might face extinction!
I believe that parents must take responsibility for their children and should be subject to sanctions where they fail to do so. But I also believe that society ought to take ultimate responsibility, in a proactive manner, to ensure that all its children are adequately and appropriately socialised according to established norms.
Firstly, there are children without parents. Secondly, some have parents who lack the necessary means. Thirdly, there are parents who might not have grasped the imperative. Can the society afford to allow these children to continue to fall by the wayside, and with what consequences?
I am, etc.,
KENNETH N. BINGHAM
Kingston 19
