The problem of preadolescents who indulge in adult sexual conduct is becoming a sore issue in the island's primary schools.

Rose Johnson-Smith, guidance counsellor at Villa Road Primary and Junior High School in Mandeville, where 1,400 students are in attendance, told Outlook that students think nothing of kissing and hugging even in the presence of teachers.

She, however, notes that precocious sexual conduct is only one of the issues, as there are also students who are depressed and suicidal - a fact observably connected to absentee parenting.

Use of cellular phones

Where sex is concerned, Rose Johnson-Smith attributes the problem to the use of cellular phones and access to porn on both telephones and cable television.

The phones, she said, are used to access inappropriate sites on the Internet.

Reflecting on the change in culture between her years at school and the current one, she said, "They are exposed to the Internet which is a lot of bad. They are using Internet on cellphones to access pornographic material.

"I have a whole heap of sex issues (with these students) and this is attributed to that kind of exposure.

"There are students hugging in sight of teachers. When I was going to school teachers would not even know that you like somebody. Students today are more knowledgeable and daring."

The counsellor admitted that even her own children who are not so exposed are affected by the change in culture.

"Last night my four-year-old told me that his girlfriend does not love him anymore. These children think sex and, as a result, they do not place that kind of value on education anymore. They do not read anymore. They sit and play games on the computer."

Her experience as a guidance counsellor and parent has told her that the best approach is to listen to these children as a first response.

"As a parent, I listen. One of things I want him (my son) to do is to be open to talk to me at any time. I use the opportunity (of listening and sharing) to teach positive values and attitudes. He was also asking me to arrange for him to marry his girlfriend. I listened. Instead of bashing them, we need to teach them the right way."

Rural vs urban cultures

In the counsellor's opinion, there is very little difference between changes in rural and urban school cultures.

"Parents are absentee. Children are suicidal. I have to be encouraging their caregivers to speak to them. Girls stab others because of anger over parental absence."

The counsellor reflects, "My parents never used the word love, but they had values which were transmitted. Parents today are so money-oriented and working so hard that values are not transmitted.

"Parents need to spend time with their children and they need to teach them the simple values. Growing up, you heard that manners could take you afar. Now they think only money can do it. They (students) do not want to sit down and study."

Noting that parents also need to exercise more control over information to which their children are exposed, she said, "I love the fact that we have the Internet but we need to learn to use the information that we have in positive ways."

Email Rose Johnson-Smith at rosalapapa@yahoo.com