Wendel Abel - I AM WHAT I THINK CONCERNS ARE being raised about the high levels of crime and the high levels of exposure of children to violence in Jamaica.
In a study conducted by Joan Shaw in 1995, inner-city students reported the following:
66.7 per cent knew of a community
member who died from violence
80 per cent had witnessed street
violence
60 per cent had witnessed gang
wars
60 per cent had witnessed gun
shooting
74 per cent had witnessed stabbing
40 per cent had witnessed killings
by the police.
These figures reflect the high levels of violence to which our children are exposed and which may lead to aggression, depression, post traumatic stress symptoms, low self-esteem and self-destructive behaviour.
FAMILY ISSUES
The breakdown in family values, the high number of teenagers who are ill-prepared for parenthood and the reported high level of domestic violence and harsh and brutal methods of discipline in our society have contributed to the dysfunctional socialisation of our children.
PERVASIVE CULTURE
Two weeks ago I saw a group of young men chasing another with stones and knives. A crowd followed, cheering. I was appalled. As a society, we display high levels of intolerance and aggression to persons with differing beliefs and persuasions. The expression " A will kill you" is a common and casual one. A culture of aggression and violence has evolved in our society, it is pervasive and well integrated into our lifestyles.
ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM
Every one of us is part of the problem and should therefore be part of the solution. The solution to our problem does not lie only in controlling gun-related crimes but in containing this pervasive culture of aggression and violence that has evolved out of our dysfunctional families, socially-disorganised communities, faulty socialisation patterns and our distorted values and moral standards. These solutions should be directed at creating a society with a lower level of aggression and a higher level of respect for each other and the rule of law.
They must be long term and comprehensive focusing on the individual, the family, the school and the community:
1. Individual-level approaches that enhance problem-solving skills, moral reasoning, anger management and teaching of skills that will change the pervasive and normative beliefs in this society about the use of aggression and violence.
The Ministry of Education must move quickly in implementing wide changing curriculum reform with emphasis on life skill education at all levels, especially to younger children in their formative years.
We need to develop specialised victim services for children exposed to violence in order to reduce the long-term impact.
2. Family-level approaches Culturally-relevant programmes must be designed and implemented to enhance parenting styles and practices and to improve relations within families.
3. Dispute resolution We have channelled great resources in dispute resolution programmes such as peer mediation and conflict resolution training. Studies have shown that these interventions are effective only when they are part of a more comprehensive and multi-contextual intervention.
4. The need for research In Jamaica, we implement programmes and policies without conducting the necessary research. A more proactive approach should be taken to design, implement and evaluate appropriate and effective programmes to address this problem of crime and violence.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Lecturer, University of the West Indies.
