The Editor, Sir:

Many persons are alarmed by the breakdown of discipline among children in the society because they fail to see the linkage between family, school and society which altogether are responsible for their behaviour formation.

If there is a breakdown in family life, children's behaviour will be compromised in schools and the wider society. A broken family does not necessarily mean a breakdown in family values - the breakdown begins when the general values, attitudes and moral structure in homes are non-existent, not given much regard nor understood.

Consistency

Whether as a single parent, shared parenting or as complete family structure, there ought to be consistency as to what minimum behaviour and morals that are expected to be exhibited at home. A mother, father or guardian who displays negative qualities will reflect in children having socially negative behaviour. When this is identified, parents need to be held responsible for children's action unless it can be proven otherwise in the courts.

Many schools seem afraid of administering discipline and as such allow children to disobey school regulations and rules. They allow children to violate a simple thing like the dress code so the Ministry of Education must make it mandatory to address this, even having it enforced by the police. Length of school uniform by girls, tightness of pants by boys, earrings, jewellery, etc, are some of the areas of violation. If boys are not allowed to wear earrings then not even on the streets in uniform should they wear it. The society is a major influence in the behaviour of children. If parents are stealing computers and other items from schools and taking them home, what can we expect? When children hear lewd music being played loudly in bus parks, shops and other public places, what do we expect to happen?

When children see their community leaders, police, teachers, spiritual leader, and others conducting themselves in a contrary manner to what they have been taught is correct, what do we expect? If we see our politicians in Parliament conducting themselves in questionable ways, what do we expect?

So until each group is forced to conduct itself in ways that are appropriate to be emulated then we will have problems with our children.

I am, etc.,

LUKE T. SHORTER

luke_t_shorter@hotmail.com