Blame adults too!

“If we raise our children in dysfunctional homes, we cannot be so naive as to believe they will behave like angels.”

Making this telling statement was Chairman of the Christ Church Foundation School’s Board of Management, Orlando Scott, as he addressed the sixth formers’ Graduation Ceremony over the weekend.

At the time, he was expressing concern over the level of deviance among some of the nation's youth, and insisted that adults must look to themselves as to why this is happening across the island.

“We the adults, while we rarely seem to admit to our own blemishes, we rush to demonise the youth and blame them for every misdemeanour or felony they commit, even though we may be the worst influences.

“Added to that, why should we pour all the blame on our youth when they do not possess the power to govern; they do not own or manage businesses that manufacture guns; own or manage organisations that produce and promote obscene movies and songs; they do not manage television stations, radio stations or the Internet that promote the baser side of the flesh; neither do they own boats and planes that bring guns and drugs into the country,” a frank Scott stated.

He continued, “The point I am making is that it is we the adult who set the evil agenda, it is the youth who are influenced by our agenda, and it is our communities which suffer the consequences.”

The veteran trade unionist therefore stressed that those with the authority to govern – government, private sector, church, school or the family – must set Christian standards and wholesome values that will seep into the organisations and institutions that will therefore influence the youth to become better citizens.

“If we cuss like pirates, engage in dubious habits in our homes, wuk up half naked at Grand Kadooment, do we expect our children to behave like Joseph of the Old Testament or the Blessed Virgin Mary? It will not happen,” he emphasised.
(JMB)