IN?ALL?THE?PRESENT?SOCIETAL?MAYHEM WORLDWIDE, and madness of man, the integrity of the family unit is being severely tested more than ever.
Traditionally, families have held together in tough times, their members honing the art of cutting and contriving; making do with the essentials of life. Such temporary harsh experiences have built character in many a Barbadian of note.
The problem today is that other items have since been added to the list of essentials of life: transport (a car); communication and information (cellphone and Internet); leisure (sport and partying – good for the blood pressure). The added items go on.
Some of us top the essentials off with worship to God Almighty.
Still there are growing concerns for the family unit. Some families are without fathers, and role models, and purpose other than to survive or merely exist.
At the fifth anniversary ceremony of the Young Women’s Christian Association’s Breakfast Club on Tuesday, Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler urged Barbadians not to let the current economic recession pull the family unit apart – that the community at large would weaken and crumble.
For his part, the minister committed his Government to continued support, and to taking steps, even in these “constrained circumstances”, to ensure it did not trample on the “important imperatives” that keep families strong.
Strong families, the foundation of all human cultures, are essential to strong communities, and strong communities nurture strong nations.
It is incumbent upon the Government therefore that whatever its economic and social programmes be, they do not undermine the good health of the family. Only healthy families will help the Government survive the current challenges.
This is no recommended carte blanche for Government handouts; only for the empowering of families to stand with their dignity. They must be encouraged by a frugal but caring Government to be committed to building on the strengths they already have.
Strong families identify problems and discuss solutions together – talking and listening to each other.
Such positive communication could extend to the political powers themselves. Positive communication could also come to mean specific, accurate and truthful expression from our politicians.
Strong families could help us build positive memories. Add to that the spiritual well-being of us all as a nation.
When all this can come together, then we know our Government is serious about its ministers’ utterances on family and the community.
