The Editor, Sir:

When the African proverb, 'It takes a village to grow a child' was created, it was deeply analysed and thought about as it is such an important tool to use to help maintain discipline in our children. Previously, this was implemented to ensure the well-being of a child and the villagers: The Church, school and community members were in charge of a child's upbringing. These villagers were given the power to discipline our children and report on their behaviour. This was well received by parents who would reapply their own dose of discipline if the behaviour was not newsworthy. Recently, this has not been happening because parents have forcefully taken away the villagers' rights to discipline.

In order to safeguard a bright and prosperous future for our children and society itself, the villagers must partake in the disciplinary measures by providing spiritual guidance, education and safety for our children so that they can be well adjusted and responsible citizens.

Participate in development

In this manner, a child will know from the start that he/she must be well-behaved because the villagers will be participating in his/her development.

Nowadays, the responsibility of villagers to discipline is taken away by parents, as they dislike the idea of anyone disciplining their children. This is a difficult period, as disciplinary measures are globalised and our culture is changing rapidly, and the traditional ways of growing our children are quickly fading. That is why we need to revisit the past and stick to the old adage, 'It takes a village to grow a child'.

Unfortunately, the villagers have now taken a back seat because of fear of reprisal or being 'cussed off' by parents. Now, they have adopted a 'don't-care' or 'mi-nuh-business' attitude. Consequently, our children are growing like bad weeds in a garden. They have become wild, uncontrollable, selfish and uncaring. This cannot continue. Parents need to give the villagers the right to help in a child's development so that they can become well adjusted and responsible citizens. We cannot allow the 'bad weeds' to destroy our beautiful (island).

I am, etc.,

Barbara Clarke

barbaraclarke207@hotmail.com

Kingston 20

Via Go Jamaica