The Editor, Sir:

I write in response to the letter titled 'Teaching parenting in schools'. I cannot resist the urge to declare this a most ludicrous proposal. Does the worthy gentleman understand the current curricular (as well as extra-curricular) demands that are placed on school administrators, teachers, students and the ancillary staff? Students now come into our schools with so little social skills that the majority of us who went to primary and high school in the 1980s to 1990s learnt at home. As such, the little courtesies have to be taught and reinforced throughout high school. Then, teachers have to work tirelessly to develop the competencies in students that will ensure that they leave school literate and numerate, according to the CSEC benchmark. That leaves no time for the addition of parenting skills that should be taught and modelled in the home space.

What is needed is a decision by all Jamaicans to stop desiring to eat our cake and have it (my version). We claim to want ambitious and purpose-driven children but we fail to champion commitment and marriage as a critical element of the context that will guarantee such a result.

Debauchery

We claim that we want children whose minds are not so 'sex-ed', yet we subscribe to entertainment (dignified as 'culture') that celebrates near debauchery and, in some cases, outright debauchery. And surprisingly, it is the Jamaican middle class that seems to be at the centre of this. If the middle class of a nation is lost, where is the hope for that nation?

As a country, we should support the Government's idea of the parenting commission. This will require a consensus as to the parenting paradigm that will form the bedrock of such a programme. However, this is where we need to demonstrate that we can make the difficult decision in the interest of the collective, instead of always seeking for what is self-gratifying. Not because it is uncomfortable to me should I oppose, oppose, oppose. I will lift my sight to a national vision. Where will this nation be in 50 years? What kind of nation will my children and grandchildren inherit?

If this sounds rather idealistic, think about all the 'puppa-lick' that you will be turning in your grave.

I am, etc.,

DWIGHT PENNYCOOKE

dpennycooke@gmail.com

Kingston 20

Via Go-Jamaica