Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Children's Advocate, Mary Clarke, is calling for better adult role models in the country in order to avoid reaping a violent and heartless society.

In referring to statistics quoted in the 2005 Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica, Mrs. Clarke said young persons, aged 10-19, were a high-risk group.

"We have them representing 24.4 per cent in ante-natal clinics and in accident and emergency wards at hospitals for intentional and unintentional injuries at 24 to 31.5 per cent," she said.

What we have sown

"We have to seek to provide good example and influence for our young persons. I don't know what we have sown, but I see what we are reaping when we reaped last year's cases of violence in schools."

Mrs. Clarke was speaking at the Jamaica 4H 'Nyammins and Jammins' press conference at the Gloustershire Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, yesterday.

The Children's Advocate added that the statistics were cause for concern as, while this same age group makes up only 20.2 per cent of the population, they have the highest rate of HIV/AIDS cases.

Mrs. Clarke also believes that entertainers and other celebrities have helped to pass on the wrong values to children and are partly responsible for the negative behaviour among the youths.

The sixth staging of the food festival is scheduled for the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre on Heroes Day, October 16.