A love triangle among schoolers was one of the reasons for the many flare-ups among schools in the Corporate Area since the start of this year. This resulted in a two-day shutdown of several schools to curb the violence and seek some resolution to the issue.

This left many asking: Where does the focus of these children lie? It seems to be far from education. With such teen drama, or soap opera as some Jamaicans may call it, we have to ask ourselves: Where are the parents? What is happening to the values and morals of our young people?

It is quite apparent that the rate of indiscipline and behavioural issues has increased among students, not only in Jamaica and the Caribbean but across countries such as the United States. Multiple videos have demonstrated students being disrespectful to teachers and even attacking educators. Since this year, a vice-principal in a North Texas county school was the victim of a vicious assault in which a hanger was thrown at her and now she is visually impaired. This student was exhibiting disruptive and violent behaviour in the classroom and the teacher, unable to manage the situation, called upon the assistance of the vice-principal.

Without a doubt, educators have their hands full with students with not only different personalities and needs but also real behavioural problems.

So with the new school term back in full swing and the education sector scampering to fill vacant posts caused by the mass migration of teachers, the apparent delinquent behaviour displayed by some students calls for even stronger parental involvement in their children’s lives now more than ever.

The Home is the First Agent

The home is the first agent of socialisation and is fundamentally responsible for the psychosocial developmental needs of children. Parental involvement is more than providing a place to sleep, food to eat, and money to buy gadgets and clothes. While these needs are fundamental to the comfort and care of the child, their emotional and social development is even more critical.

As an educator in the field for a number of years at various levels, I can attest to the fact that our children, especially teenagers, are going through a lot. With peer pressure to engage in early sexual activities, drug use, and just trying to fit in, this period can be characterised as a tumultuous time in the lives of teenagers, not to mention those who I have encountered from broken and abusive homes or who have parents who are unable to deal with their behavioural issues.

It is important to note that most of these children are not lacking any of the basic needs and are financially comfortable. So what really is the issue? Why are our children so out of control? Some may allude to the factor of exposure and lack of regulation of certain content on social media platforms such as TikTok, the influence of some content creators, movie sites such as Netflix, and even pornographic sites, as children seem to be more gullible to negative behaviour rather than positive content. So what can parents do? Is all hope lost?

The home is where students should learn positive values and attitudes. This starts with with the parents, who need to be positive role models, because children live what they learn.

There was a time when Sunday school for children was a must, whether or not parents were believers or churchgoers. Instead we have seen that in some homes children are making their own decisions because of the new narrative of freedom of expression and being true to themselves.

The Problem With Parenting Today

Parents and other naysayers must move away from the ideology that the onus is on the school and church to save their children. While it is clear that some homes are doing their part in reinforcing and maintaining positive morals and values, there are others who are reluctant or may just have just given up.

We certainly acknowledge that the role of parenting is by no means a walk in the park, but parents have to stand up, stay strong, and ride out the storm. If not the parents, then who will?

Another issue facing our society is this era of soft or gentle parenting. These parents do not make demands on their children and choose to give them space to think about their behaviour. In some of these cases you have to wonder who is the boss.

While I believe that gentle parenting has its place and can be effective, parents have to remember that they are in fact parents — not their children’s friends!

Sadly, in today’s society, we see parents and children dressing the same, going to the same parties, and there is no evident distinction between parent and child. I believe it is safe to say some parents have really lost sight of what is important.

The Way Forward

By no means am I suggesting discipline that may characterise any form of abuse, but instead a more firm, consistent, supportive, and consequence/reward type of parenting. It requires parents who are supervising their children effectively and involved in their children’s lives holistically, not just as a mere provider.

The degradation of morals in our society is quite disturbing and alarming. It is a contributing factor to many other negative behaviour and affects other aspects of our lives. If we say children are the future and they are the next generation, then effective parenting is fundamental. It must start and continue at home.

The School, Church, and the Home

While we all wish for a harmonious society, the reality is that this is not the case. What then is the answer or solution to this horrendous cycle of abuse and trauma created by broken homes?

Other agents of socialisation, such as the school, church, youth clubs, and even mentorship programmes, have been implemented as a source of intervention and continuously try to engage such children in programmes that are reformative. While counsellors within the schools, churches, and other medical facilities are trying to fulfil their roles in this regard, what we find as fundamental obstacles to the reformation of children with behavioural issues is that sometimes they have to return to the same home situation that may be the initial catalyst for their dysfunctional behaviour. This means their current home situation is not a safe place to nurture or encourage positive behaviour and so these children often fall into a relapse.

Therefore, we need to address the root causes, and most start from the home. As such, there must be a collaborative effort made between the home, school, and church in terms of accountability and behaviour change through counselling sessions and other intervention programmes.

Lynda Crichton is assistant professor at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lcrichton@faculty.ucc.edu.jm.