THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN MOST modern societies around the world, policymakers and governments use incentives to control the behaviour of their citizens. The logic is that preaching alone or asking people to be reasonable will not necessarily get the desired result. Some persons are just not reasonable and have to see a clear and immediate benefit before they conform.
Let us take, for instance, the 'Family Property (Rights of Spouses)' Act which was passed in the Senate last week. Do you realise that there are no incentives in Jamaica for a person to get married? In fact, there is now an incentive for persons to have short, hot, spicy common-law relationships and to break off as it approaches five years old.
It is a fact that children are more likely to conform to certain societal norms if their home environments are stable and as a Christian country I would think marriage would be encouraged.
While I understand the problem that our policymakers are trying to solve, I believe that one of our major problems in Jamaica is the way we solve problems. It is clear that a comprehensive study was not done in order to understand and to find a solution to this problem, and therefore the solution will also be a problem.
I am, etc.,
CARLTON FEARON
fearon@cybervale.com
31 Santiago Square
Hellshire Heights
St. Catherine
Via Go-Jamaica
