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Editorials
When work trumps the child
Sunday, July 05, 2009
We feel really sorry for Mr Easton Edwards, the Jamaica Labour Party's councillor for the Lucea division in Hanover. How devastated he must be at this time with a manslaughter charge over his head arising from the death of his five-year-old son!
The fact of the matter though is that no matter how much sorrow we or anyone else expresses in connection with this tragedy, it won't bring little Lennon back to life.
We say this, not to be judgemental or increase the pain that we know Mr Edwards is feeling, but to underscore the point that cannot be overemphasised, that the welfare of children has to be the first priority of every parent.
Unfortunately, too many parents simply don't understand what constitutes the welfare of their children.
And in their mad scramble to amass material resources, which they believe will take care of the child's welfare, they literally lose sight of the child.
Somewhere in the race to fulfil the obligations of work and other activities, the emotional needs of the child get lost.
The result?
Neglect, which always occasions damage to the child.
Sometimes - as in the case of young Master Lennon Edwards who died, reportedly from heatstroke after being left sleeping in the family car while his father, a teacher, politician and photographer, went to take photographs at a graduation - instant fatality is the result.
Oftentimes however, the damage doesn't manifest itself until years later, in the form of delinquent juveniles who are unable to fit into any sort of worthwhile endeavour and become menaces to themselves and to the society.
Maybe Mr Edwards simply didn't foresee the tragic consequences of leaving his son in the car.
But it may be argued, that from the perspective of a reasonable adult, that he ought to have.
In any case, it was a dangerous thing to do in a country like Jamaica which is teeming with paedophiles and other mentally disturbed individuals who would think nothing of absconding with both car and child.
The myriad possibilities associated with leaving children unattended are nothing short of frightening.
They warrant relentless coverage and exposure, if only to educate those who are minded to be similarly neglectful.
This space has tirelessly pointed to the heavy moral and legal responsibility that rests on parents as far as the welfare of their children is concerned.
The Child Care and Protection Act sets out with commendable clarity the obligations which not just parents but the society at large owe children.
Had anyone seen as Mr Edwards locked his son in the car, they would, under the act, have been obliged to report him and would be culpable if they didn't.
As a society we have missed the boat as far as saving the late Master Lennon Edwards and many, many other children of parents who, through ignorance, simplicity or selfishness, compromised their welfare.
It's not too late to secure a seat as far as the others are concerned.
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