THE EDITOR, Sir:
I BEWAIL the diffusion of young children on our nation's streets at nights. The neglect of young children has become an unfortunate feature in our society.
A laissez-faire attitude towards parenting is in total defiance of the rights of the child. At nights, children can be seen at traffic lights and busy intersections. This heart-rending picture has become a 'cyst' that needs to be removed from our streets, for the sake of our children.
Too many irresponsible parents and guardians are allowed to feel comfortable, while their children manoeuvre their way through vehicular traffic, soliciting money.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child spells out the range of rights that children all over the world are entitled to. Jamaica ratified the convention in 1991, and as a result, the rights of the child are a moral and legal obligation for all concerned with the welfare of children. The convention clearly outlines that children are to be safeguarded from all forms of abuse and neglect.
We are all cognisant of the challenging economic times and the race to make ends meet. But why should the economic times force children to become 'street beggars'? If monetary assistance is needed to support the family, it is the parents' and not the children's responsibility to seek this assistance. Poverty does not give anyone the right to send their children on the streets. This excuse has long been a cliché.
It is simply not right and definitely not safe for parents to be home while their children roam the streets. Children have the right to be safe, secure and cared for, and should benefit from these rights.
I call on all concerned to ensure that the rights of the child set out by the convention are safeguarded, because ultimately, upholding these rights is a responsibility of the state.
I am, etc.,
JULENE McLAUGHLIN
Jmclaughlin28@hotmail.com
Early Childhood educator
