The Editor, Sir:

It seems that PARENTING has become 'PAY-RENTING' due to the unbearable grief and excruciating agony we have to face where our children are concerned. I have reiterated over and over again that short strategies will not solve long-term problems. Jamaica has been faced with a number of problems and the persons in charge of making decisions for our country continue to use short-term plans and strategies to try and correct them.

Parenting has become partially non-existent in some cases and our children are suffering. We need to find our moral high ground where parenting is concerned. I am troubled and disappointed that some of the strategies and measures discussed to assist with the reconstruction of our nation's future are just barmy.

Same-sex teaching in schools

Teaching same sex in schools could not be an answer by any stretch of imagination. Making it easier to obtain a licensed firearm is a symbol that we have given up and the criminals have won. Giving teachers police powers would make a mockery of the educational system. Asking the police and the area leaders to work together in a country where it is believed that the area leaders have created turmoil and disarray is really something to think about. Legalising abortion is another mentioned strategy, and it must be known that even if a society upholds abortion, that does not make abortion right. And I believe all these strategies are short term and will eventually create long- term tribulations.

Parents need to get more involved in schools in such a way, that they are as accountable for the child's outcome as much as the teachers. Parents also need to be licensed, which would give them the power they need to police their children effectively. Ask our police to work with our parents instead of area leaders. If these are done then we won't need to even think about abortion because we would have proper PARENTING and not 'PAY-RENTING'.

Legal examination

I continue to pray and beg that the Government provides that legal examination to add to the registration process of our children. A parent licensing authority would be a perfect entity to undertake this process. They would ensure the fitness of parents as it relates to health, living accommodations, financial provision and moral standards. How can it be that we have a Road Traffic Act that governs how we purchase a vehicle, how we drive it and how we treat it, yet there is not a parent act to govern the process of our most important resources?

Our children are being raped, abused and abducted frequently, while we sit in Parliament and converse about aborting them; make their teachers police, teaching them same sex, providing them with condoms and the list goes on.

Even though the crimes are increasing in drastic figures there are human-rights activists and groups still choking the policymakers at it relates tomaking critical decisions. However, no one sees the need to take a serious look at our parenting methods and how we can strengthen them ethically, yet we are attempting all the illegal aspects.

I am, etc.,

LERON MATTISON

leronmattison@yahoo.com