It is almost beyond belief that during recent times churches in the north of Barbados have had electronic equipment, fans, clocks, (no Bibles) etc. stolen, with even the Salvation Army reporting loss due to burglary.
These organisations which have dedicated their focus on helping persons to improve their lives and feeding the needy have not been spared that unwelcome visit in the darkness of the night.
Homes have been robbed of furniture from porches, and artisans of their expensive tools.
There was a time when the church premises were respected as holy and sacred territory and therefore off-limits for the worst of our human practices. The church was a place of rescue, refuge and safety for those in trouble. When did we change or lose that perspective? When did we begin to see the sacred place as a soft target to steal from?
Human life still is a very sacred commodity to be protected and treasured as an irreplaceable item of ultimate value.
But that too is under threat as the robber now walks with weapons of destruction to take the life of anyone who intercepts him while executing his crimes. Has life become that cheap and so easily disposable? Or could it be that the fear of being caught and punished is no longer a strong enough motivation to resist the temptations?
Another very serious issue that needs our immediate attention is: how are the stolen items disposed of so quickly and easily, without a trace?
Who is the worst enemy of society? Is it the thief who broke in and stole, the recipient or the purchaser of the stolen property?
When I came home with a pencil or book that was not mine, my mother took me to the headmistress with the item, even if it was given me by a classmate.
As a child, when I told my father that I had fallen and cut the back of my head, Dad went into the village and enquired about the story and to my great shame returned with the truth – I was injured when one of the boys threw a stone.
The intervention of my parents in my life and childish activities taught me the importance of being truthful, honest, and responsible, along with expecting to be disciplined when necessary. Of course, I really did not always appreciate such interventions.
Studies are finding that “. . . early childhood personality and childhood experiences affect the adult. That character is set by age three. That to correct wayward juvenile behaviour needs to start with preschoolers”.
Is there a connection between what we are experiencing and our parenting?
Almost 43 per cent of households in Barbados are headed by single parents. Forty per cent of births are to women under age 20, with the youngest being age 13.
It has been established that our children are most vulnerable between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. when they are home without any or little responsible adult supervision. When that single mother returns from work, tired and stressed out, there is no grandmother or responsible fathering presence to assist in the mentoring, coaching and disciplining necessary to keep on track any one tempted to play truant or be uncooperative.
With the increase in teen pregnancies adding to those unemployed or unemployable under-20 parents, many vital parenting lessons are neglected and bad habits arrive at schools, communities and on blocks.
We have reached a point when serious consideration must be given to including parenting skills in our secondary education system. Our community centres must be included as training centres, churches and other catchment places for our youth.
We need our men and fathers to take time to be with their sons, be their friends, mentors and coaches.
Discussing the problem, or politicising it, will not change the behaviour.
HMP Dodds is indeed too late to change entrenched unacceptable behaviours.
Though it takes a village to train a child, that village must be appropriately equipped and trained to be effective.
− EVERETTE W. HOWELL
