Dear Editor,

It comes as no surprise or new revelation that our children are increasingly finding themselves in spaces where only adults should be. Recently in our headlines, the Independence weekend, closed out by a series of events in St Ann, headlined the brutal attack of two teenage boys by a group of men.

While circumstances surrounding that particular incident will need further investigation, it should also force us to ask a much bigger question: Why are children being allowed into these adult-only spaces in the first place?

This has become a serious and growing concern in Jamaica. We continue to see parties and events marketed and promoted in ways to attract young people, while alcohol is readily available and age restrictions appear to be poorly enforced, if enforced at all.

And if so, are the identifications being checked at the gates or at the bars? Parents certainly have a responsibility, but so do the event promoters, the alcohol brands, venue owners, security personnel, vendors, and local authorities.

Our children should not become victims before we acknowledge that something is fundamentally wrong in this recent trend.

Mason

Russell Heights, Kingston

A.loves.mason@gmail.com