The Editor, Sir:
Child abuse is an ugly term, isn't it? Yet, the children in our society continue to experience acts of cruelty, beaten by parents who have taken not 'sparing the rod' a bit too far.
However, in the inner city, these acts are seen as the norm. The first and, often, only choice of punishment for most parents, young and old, is beating the child and the 'rod' of choice ranges from using a belt to physical assault.
Believe me, I know. Growing up, I was not spared the rod either, or a mop stick for that matter. Yet, telling parents or even making it illegal to punish a child in this manner leaves many feeling 'cross, angry and miserable'.
This leaves a lot of frustration and confusion in the minds of many parents, who know little or nothing about alternative forms of punishment. Hence, the terms 'time out' or 'you're grounded', continue to be employed by the educated and restricted to the uptown crowd, while being viewed by some members of the inner city as ways rich people spoil their children.
Training and education
Therefore, I propose that to stem and possibly prevent the wave of child abuse currently sweeping our nation, parents, young and old, should be educated and trained in alternative means of punishment. In fact, a creative means of passing on this message should be employed through the media, which could be similar to the current Super Nanny British programme. Additionally, a resocialisation exercise should also be used as a possible means to break the cycle of child abuse and perhaps heal some of the emotional scars left behind.
Hence, as we all get ready to celebrate our Independence, we should, as a society, move in the direction of alternative punishment for all uptown and downtown. Haven't we been beaten enough as a people (poor people, especially)? It's time for us to break this cycle of abuse and choose alternative means of punishment for all our children, using the rod as a final resort only.
I am, etc,
KAVELLE HYLTON
studyfreekkav3@Yahoo.com
Generation WHY
Kingston 13
Via Go-Jamaica
