THE EDITOR, Sir:
SOME OF the biggest challenges facing us today is because of fear to correct and reprimand other people's children. As an adult, our strong presence should be felt when children are around. I firmly believe that children should be respected and they should also respect adults.
Last week Wednesday, May 28, 2003, I was in the Half-Way Tree area about 2:30 p.m. when on reaching No. 83 bus stop, I heard some high school students walking behind me with their argument, these were not boys, they were sprightly looking young ladies. Suddenly I heard expletives closely behind me so I looked around and said. "Are you the person who used those words?" She quickly said "No!" I continued by saying, "I am going to report you at your school."
The four of them who were walking looked me in the face fearfully and ran into the Clock Tower Plaza.
Just to make sure, I saw others and asked them the name of the school that wore that colour uniform they were wearing and they told me.
I was angered inside, it was so incredible just to hear those words from a student who is wearing the uniform of a prominent high school. I will not call the name of the school but for the weekend, this bitter taste was in my mouth, I really had to share it. Indiscipline has really dominated the society and I believe that if some of us had tried to stop it at a dot, then it would not be so problematic now that we are not able to manage.
It did not take me too long to witness another incident. As I entered in an executive bus at York Plaza, I saw another young student "lady" sitting in the lap of a school boy "gentleman" while the music was bubbling. I did not know how I looked at her, but she shamefully jumped up fast. I went over and said to her, you should know how to conduct yourself in public. She was very penitent and said, "yes" while the boys giggled.
In this society, there is the need to promote discipline. We have the concept of fear to admonish the youth because of violence means. We should recognise that we have the right to show them the right path although they are not our children. We have to take up the mantle in order to have better leaders for the years to come.
I am, etc.,
BARBARA DIXON
Bridgeport P.O.
St. Catherine
