Dear Christine,
I would like to add my two cents’ worth to the ongoing discussion surrounding the article which appeared in last Saturday’s newspaper concerning the two students who were seen apparently engaging in sexual activity in a classroom.
Christine, I want parents out there and those who are blaming the media for carrying the article and story to know that this is nothing new. It has been happening for years and activities like this take place in schools across the island. This should not catch anyone by surprise. It is time to stop burying our heads in the sand and face up to the reality.
I am not here to say whether or not the NATION had the right to publish the photograph of these students, but what I do know for a fact is that the newspaper clearly did not fabricate the story or place the photograph on social media. The person or persons who did that are the ones we should be condemning. While I agree that content of the article did not have to be so descriptive, this does not take away from the fact that this incident took place.
I believe that parents should talk to their children and teach them how to value their bodies. They should put their children – boys and girls alike – to sit down and speak to them about the dangers of engaging in sexual activity at such young ages.
There was a debate sometime ago about the use of cellphones while at school. Whatever came out of that discussion? If there were no cellphones around at the time, then that incident would never have reached the social media or the newspaper. It is unfortunate that it did, but it only shows some of the moral decline of our society.
When we can have parents giving their children the latest cellphone which opens them up to all manner of evil and temptations, who are we to blame for their promiscuity and lack of self-respect?
Rather than lambaste the newspaper, those in authority should stand up and speak to our children, but many of them cannot because many in leadership positions are not being an example to our youth. When we can have a Member of Parliament talk about one of his fellow parliamentarians running down The City streets naked and those in charge do not publicly come out and tell him that what he said was wrong, how can we expect our young people to be any better?
Our society needs to turn back to God and parents need to play their part in doing so. Sunday School has become an option, but the latest show or party is a must. We have things backwards in this society.
I say again: it’s time to stop burying our heads in the sand. Call a spade a spade, speak to the youth and guide them in the right direction. Reality is reality and this incident should open the eyes of parents, social workers, guidance counsellors and teachers. In fact, it should open the eyes of the public at large. This is reality and we in society must deal with it rather than cast stones at the media.
– Inez
Dear Inez,
Thanks for sharing. You are right in stating that parents and those in any form of leadership position should speak to our children. Our schoolchildren are open to all kinds of vice through the social media and this is an issue which needs to be addressed.
It is also obvious that the moral fabric of our society has eroded to a great extent and unless individuals cry out to God for this nation, we will continue to read about incidents similar to the one under discussion.
Each one of us has a part to play. Again, thanks for sharing.
– CHRISTINE
