THE EDITOR, Sir:

How ironic it is that on the front page of today's (Tuesday) Gleaner are two stories of two deaths. One by natural cause and the other murder. The irony of the situation, however, is that one contributed greatly to the development of the nation, while the other appeared to be on the verge of destroying the nation through violence. I pause to offer condolences to both families for their losses.

It would seem the children of our nation have learnt well. They can ably eliminate a problem with a simple click of the gun or the swish of a knife. There is a little thing that my parents always say, 'children live what they learn'. Who taught these boys to settle their differences through violence? Please don't point fingers at technology, it is we, adults, who are responsible. I am a 31-year-old female and to tell the truth I am afraid of correcting youngsters on the street whom I hear behaving badly. Why? If push comes to shove and the child retaliates who would be willing to come to my rescue? As I watch our nation's children, fear is paramount in my mind.

Something must be done now and it must begin in our homes. Parents, teach your children respect for law and order. Give them an idea of their worth to you and to the society, compliment them in their achievements and reasure them when they fail. Do not shield them in the "petty wrongs" for the petty things will blossom into incidents like the one that took place at Jamaica College.

We need more stories of great achievement and less of fearful violence.

I am, etc.,

G. DIXON

Savanna-La-Mar

Westmoreland