Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

( L - R ) Kelly, Notice

An increase in aggressive behaviour among the nation's women is chasing men away from the home and wrecking family life, said psychologist Dr. Grace Kelly.

"We have to validate our men. If we were to look in some homes where people are married and the way some women treat their men, it's a disgrace! This is what pushes them to go out to seek validation," said Dr. Kelly, who chairs the Department of Behavioural Sciences at Northern Caribbean University in Manchester.

She further stated that "relationships that are not healthy have a negative effect on children. The children are seeing what is happening. When the father goes, they miss him, and not understanding the dynamics of what's happening, they are going to go the other way".

Dr. Kelly, who was speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum on violence and media reporting held last Thursday at the company's North Street office in central Kingston, said her comments were based on her observations at work and through media reports.

According to the psychologist, more women were being abusive to men. She believes this sort of behaviour could be a reverse of the past and women are now fighting back.

Shield children

Dr. Kelly said parents should avoid abusive behaviour in front of their children, adding that children who witness this type of behaviour either grow up to hate the parent, who is the aggressor, or believe it is the norm to treat people in that manner.

Speaking to The Gleaner, the Rev. Dr. Roy Notice, pastor of the Mandeville New Testament Church of God, said many of the problems students have at school originate from the state of affairs back home in their respective families.

He said some children are living in homes that are unstable and conflict-ridden. As such, he noted that they tend to feel less confident, unlike those living in homes where there is stability, love and the feeling of being wanted.

Pointing to preventative measures to ensure that their children do not turn to a life of crime, Dr. Kelly advised that parents need to spend quality time with their children and, during those moments, find out what are their challenges.

"Parents must question unusual behaviour, disrespect, mood swings and sudden withdrawal symptoms in their children," advised Dr. Kelly. "Parents must communicate with their children. They must be realistic and teach children what they should do and what they should not do. If we do not do this, especially with our boys, we are going to have a lost generation."