AROUND THE world at this season, Christians celebrate Easter and reflect on the significance of Christ's resurrection from the dead. Despite the controversies which arise over the actual date of the occasion, Easter still symbolises rebirth, new life and renewal. It is those qualities of hope which we would like to see reflected in response to a national sore which has joined the many afflicting our nation.
We speak of the instances of outright cruelty and abuse inflicted on many of our youths, from infancy to adolescence. Reports in the media over recent days have served to highlight the parlous situation in which some youngsters find themselves. We've seen graphic images of a young child scarred from head to toe, through the inflicting of beatings and burns, of malnourishment and cruel neglect. We have been wrestling with the horror of a teenager raped and savagely murdered by her assailant. Adults listen in shock and amazement to accounts of young persons indulging in acts of lewd and lascivious behaviour with their peers and with adult staff of public transport, while the law and the rest of society stands by, unable or unwilling to intervene.
If ever there was a time for renewal, rebirth, reawakening of a new spirit in dealing with our young people, it is now. The popular excuse given for the neglect and abuse is economics. Undoubtedly, families face difficulties in these times of challenge but the effort will have to be made to create a "newness of life" within the family circle. Food and shelter are important, but so are love and affirmation, which have no price tags.
Some months ago, the nation was horrified at reports of abuse to wards of State-run children homes. The situation seems to have been brought under control but the crisis is not over in the wider society. The abuse continues in homes, often broken and divided by adult indiscipline and ignorance. We would wish that in the spirit of Easter, the call for new beginnings will be heeded by parents, guardians and other caregivers.
The nation's youth need their Easter epiphany too. They need to be treated like the young plants that they are, nourished for growth, pruned for discipline and good order, and provided with hope so that they may blossom for the future. "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them," says the Lord of Easter, of whose triumphant rising the world sings today.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
