Focus on teen parents this month
ACTIVITIES for Parenting Month, which is being observed in November, will focus on sensitising young people about the importance of being properly prepared before they decide to have children.
Yvonne Hood, chairperson of the Coalition for Better Parenting, said the theme for the month, “Parenting is responsibility: Are you ready?” was selected, as a result of a recent study, which showed that teenagers formed a significant component of the country’s parenting population.
The organisation, she said, will seek to address this “disturbing trend during the month, adding that activities would dovetail on events planned for Youth Month, which is also being observed in November.
The month’s activities were officially launched on November 1, at the Holy Cross Church Hall in Kingston. A mini-exhibition highlighting the work of the CBP’s member agencies as well as information on parenting techniques will also be held at the same venue.
Among the other activities planned are a conference on foster parenting to be held on Tuesday, November 22, by the Children’s Services Division.
In addition, a parenting conference will be hosted by the National Council on Education, one of the coalition’s member agencies, on Friday, November 29 at the Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios.
And the coalition said it would be recognising noteworthy parents at its annual outstanding parents award ceremony.
The Coalition for Better Parenting receives funding from the Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).