Wither Messrs Barrett and Calder?

Thursday, September 02, 2010

The terrible tragedy which claimed the lives of 17-year-old Moya Barrett and her six-year-old twin sisters, Teneisha and Taneisha Calder, in a fire at their home in Bamboo, St Ann last Saturday, raises for us, once again, the issue of irresponsible parenting.

For according to the story in our Monday edition, the tragedy occurred in the absence of an adult.

We are not passing judgement on the girls' mother, Ms Angella Newman, who was reportedly at the supermarket when the fire broke out at about 10:00 pm.

Nor on the late Miss Barrett, who was in charge of her siblings when the tragedy occurred.

For it is obvious that the young shoulders of this girl, whom we understand was a promising student, were carrying a heavy responsibility. On the night of the tragedy, we read, she was busy trying to calm the twins who were crying from hunger and exhaustion. But it appears that the stress of having to cook and care for them on that particular night overwhelmed her.

Yes, some may argue, that at 17 Miss Barrett was capable of taking care of her siblings.

But we wonder how many nights prior she had undergone the same stress.

What sort of support system did she have at her disposal?

The task of caring for one young child, much more three, is by no means easy.

It would be instructive to find out where the fathers of these girls were that night.

Where are they now?

Do they consider themselves in any way responsible for their failure to be there for those girls on that or any other night?

What, in their absence, did they put in place for the care of their seed?

These are questions which we hope will be asked and answered at some level, even as we mourn the death of these children.

For the story of children dying in house fires while their parents are, for whatever reason, out is much too familiar for our comfort. So familiar is this phenomenon, in fact, that we seriously feel that it is time to take it out of the accident category.

It is time for the men and women of this society to stop taking such a casual approach to the reproductive process.

Those who bring children in this world must be made, by whatever means necessary, to take responsibility for them in every way that matters.

They must be made to understand that it is simply not acceptable to plant a seed and take off, for whatever reason, in the expectation that someone else will nurture it.

Otherwise, stories like the one we carried on Monday will continue to the detriment of all of us.

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COMMENTS (11)

Antonette W.
9/16/2010

While I, too, feel sad to hear of this tragedy, I take issue with the statement regarding a seventeen year old babysitting. That is not an unreasonable age to be caretaker for three children while the mother went to the store. Surely, the fathers should be responsible for fathering their children, but we don't know the facts as they pertain to this specific family. It would be another tragedy for us to judge the mother without knowing all the details. May God give her solace in her loss.

John Smith
9/2/2010

The Observer has to fill its editorial space with other things since the recent flip-flop in its moral position. Clearly anything will do...

N Manley Blythe
9/2/2010

@ Winston G, respects.
"For according to the story in our Monday edition, the tragedy occurred in the absence of an adult."
Although factual, this paragraph in the context of this editorial, serves to paint this mother as an irresponsible parent. As such I feel the Editor erred here and at this time of tragedy this is the last thing this parent want's to hear.
The Editor could have praised the mother for her good work in caring for her children and making sure they get their education. Sympathy.

Winston G
9/2/2010

I am in my forties. One day I came home to see I left my stove on. Careless?? Absolutely!! Human?? That too.

Winston G
9/2/2010

@ N Manley Blythe
In fairness to the Observer, the editorial did not slighting the mother here. I wish to concur with others that it is not irresponsible to leave a 17-year old in charge of siblings. And, from all accounts, this was not just an ordinary 17-year old. She was a brilliant girl, no doubt responsible too. This is just a terrible accident. Tragic and my heart bleeds for the parents and relatives, even the neighbours.

N Manley Blythe
9/2/2010

Mr Observer. When you included Ann Merita Golding in the piece about the PM, I was very angry with you. I said nothing, I am ashamed. Then, you apologised. Good.
Look at you again now! This mother went for food to feed her family and here you are slighting her! Why?
Accidents do happen Sir, and it seems that's all this was. Where is your empathy for this woman and her family? Good school girl!
Lambast irresponsible parents all you want, but please be a little more sympathetic to the good ones!

Winston G
9/2/2010

Thank you Brooklyn Jamaican. I don't know why the ASSUMPTION that the fathers are irresponsible. And to call the men by name. What is that about? The men MUST be in pain now and this is cold. There is no doubt that there are irresponsible men out there, but don't use this tragic incident, in which real emotions are affected, to take on THOSE fathers.

Brooklyn Jamaican
9/2/2010

This is an unnecessary editorial. There is nothing abnormal about a 17 year old looking after siblings. There is enough evidence also to suggest that once certain fires start, KId, adult and baby are at risk, and fires start with adults at home too.
Thirdly as a father who beween a conspiracy between the courts and mother does not have enough access and influence over my child.(I am sure I am one of many). It is useless to try to create some sort of "balance", by bashing fathers.

Winston G
9/2/2010

A family has suffered a terrible tragedy. Can the Observer even begin to imagine the pain that is being endured? "We are not passing judgement on the girls' mother" But we seem to be passing judgement on the girls' fathers. It's possible they are irresponsible, but DO WE KNOW THAT FOR SURE?? And if they are indeed responsible and take care of their children, how do you think they are feeling now? When a family is in pain we need to be careful of the things we say.

Jaye Stone
9/2/2010

Supermarket really open at 10:00 at night?

george watson
9/2/2010

At 17 I think a girl is quite capable of taking care of her siblings when her mom goes out . The Observer well knows that in many homes in Jamaica a girl of that age already has one or two children of her own. In the U.S. a society far more caring of their young and older people, teens make money babysitting.
It is searching questiongs that the Observer asks.I hope that they will ask these kinds of questions (starting today)of people not responsible for running a household but a country.

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Wither Messrs Barrett and Calder?