Dear Editor,

There has been a firestorm recently because of statements made by Senator Ruel Reid about placing limits on how many children Jamaican women should be allowed to have. Although I somewhat agree with the senator, I do not think his suggestion will provide the long-term solution we desire.

One of the things I learned in management was how to approach problem-solving, and that formula can be applied to any problem.

One of the things I learned in management was how to approach problem-solving, and that formula can be applied to any problem.

Let us take our problem in Jamaica of teenage pregnancy. First, identify the root causes, which should not be confused with surface causes. Then identify the possible solutions. Having done so, evaluate and implement the best solutions.

Cause #1 is a lack of education: The solution to this is to ensure that all school-age children attend school, provide enough school spaces and teachers, and introduce age-appropriate sex education from early.

Cause #2 is a lack of parental guidance: The solution include adding parenting to the curriculum. Make it mandatory for parents to attend parent-teachers’ meetings and hold parents responsible and accountable for their children.

Cause # 4 speaks to a lack of discipline and respect for others and the environment: The solution for this is to start the teaching of civics, respect for others, and instilling good values from an early age.

Cause #5 is a lack of enforcement: The best policies, laws and procedures will not bear the desired results if there is no enforcement and consequences. That is why there must be public education at the roll-out of any policy. There must be zero tolerance to rape, statutory rape, and failure of child protection agencies.

All the above causes have their root in education, we can therefore conclude that teenagers are getting pregnant because of a lack of education. Armed with that knowledge we can direct our resources to education. When our children are educated they will be prepared to make the correct choices based upon their high self-worth, high moral standards, and their ability to find gainful employment without resorting to being someone’s baby mother. If we can break the cycle of teenage pregnancy we can break the cycle of too many children being born into poverty.

Enos Anderson

Dawkins District

andersones28@yahoo.com