Lovers and friends came out last Friday night to Sandals Royal for the first annual Valentine’s Day Soiree.
Fun, food and frolic were the order of the night as those who came out celebrated love.
The fully premium, all-inclusive event offered up a variety of food stations and various cocktails, premium drinks, chocolate fountains, and more for those who came out.
While they wined and dined, they moved and grooved to sweet deejay music and the big band 2 Mile Hill. (DB) At the core of societal life is the family. In fact, some would go so far as to say that the family is the bedrock of society. It then follows that a breakdown in the family can result in a breakdown in our society. But when we say “family” in today’s world, what do we mean exactly?
Hello Family:
I’ve heard it said that everyone in Barbados is more or less related if we go back far enough. But even if this were not true, we are all connected by community and as such are a family in the broader context. This means we are each other’s keeper and the old adage, “it takes a village to raise a child” is still very relevant today. Family in this sense stretches beyond mother, father, grandparents, sibling and cousins and so on. Instead, it means those who are not blood related.
Therefore, it is important that we move beyond just focusing on the old traditional view of family being “blood” and adopt a community spirit that allows us to encompass supporting our youth. This doesn’t mean that we interfere and overstep boundaries by getting into people’s business, just because we feel we know best. In many instances, discernment will be needed before we “jump in”. Remember, too, that young people will not respond favourably to criticism or being told what to do, neither will their parents/caregivers.
However, by adopting a community spirit, whereby we actively seek to support our youth as extended family members, we are helping the community family to thrive.
Here are a few things you can do:
Offering advice and guidance is great, but sometimes we need to simply listen to the concerns, hopes and joys of the young. Ask them questions and listen to what they have to say. You can learn a lot this way, while at the same time helping them to feel like their voice matters.
Mentoring is where you will take a young person under your wing and help them find purpose in their life. It is where you offer encouragement and guidance and share your knowledge and experience to help them understand the world around them.
This can be done under the church or by offering your services at summer camp or after-school programmes. This can be particularly good for older children who might need guidance on their future career or education.
Leaders, give young people “a seat at the table”. What this means is that those who are mature enough should be given an opportunity to share their views and opinions on matters that concern them.
If you are in a position to help a parent/caregiver with school items or groceries or can offer support in some other way, then please do so. This is where discernment comes into play (remember not everyone welcomes this type of intervention).
The Barbados Family Planning Association runs a youth advocacy group that offers peer counselling and support to young persons and they also provide family life support.
Entertainer Nikita with her husband Kevin Herbert.
Sharon Headley and Fabian Holligan
Promoter Freddie Hill and girlfriend
Natasha Lesprance. (Pictures by Reco Moore.)
written by Gail Hunte, marketing and communications officer at the BFPA.
