We need right type of influence

THE EDITOR: The majority of citizens of this beloved land of ours are complaining about the frequency of violent and other crimes. No one seems to have an answer to deal effectively with this very trying situation. We have been told about plans to reduce crimes, we have heard about research being done and, in addition to all of these things, we are now having march after march. So far, the crime situation has not been reduced in any significant way, so as to reduce the fear which exists among the population. It is my view that we need to consider a very simple but effective problem solving approach to the issue of crime. We must bring together as many of the stakeholders involved, if we are to identify the real issues causing the high rate of crime and come up with workable solutions

Before I offer my views on the matter, let’s just sit back a little, and ask ourselves, why should there be so much more crime now, especially among the young people as compared with 40 years ago? What did we have 40 years ago that we do not have now? Or, what do we have now that we did not have 40 years ago? Join with me on a journey through memory lane. Firstly, as a little boy I remember that everybody in the village or community was responsible for discipline. Residents were responsible for ensuring that we, the young boys and girls, behaved appropriately. The neighbours performed the role of foster parents. As a matter of fact, if your neighbour called out to you one day while you were doing something that was wrong, you would not only stop what you were doing, but you might ask the individual not to report you to your parents. It would seem that there was some form of uniform approach to behaviour in public, supported and enforced by all adults. And in most cases, the adults offered themselves as exemplars.

Secondly, the father was the accepted head of the home. He was the authority figure, the breadwinner. Of course, the majority of mothers were at home, were good housewives, good mothers, good advisers, good counsellors and made sure that everybody got his or her meal on time. In addition, mothers gave every support to fathers as the head of the home. Thirdly, the power and the influence of the church had a very positive impact on the moral values of our people. Everybody respected the pastor, the priests, the Imam, the pundit, the Baptist leader. Fourthly, teachers were looked upon as God’s gifts to the village or community. Not only were they looked upon as a source of knowledge and inspiration, but also most of them were well liked and respected. They had a tremendous influence on the children of the village.

Fifth, children 40 years ago were able to indulge in a lot of physical activities, such as football, cricket, pitching marbles, flying kites, catching fish, hunting for birds, singing in the church choir. In addition to these activities you had to read your lessons for Mammy and you also got a chance to listen to the radio. It would seem to me that young people took time to grow up into the adult world. Now you may say to me, that was 40 years ago. That was then, but these are different times, these are modern times. Time changes, so do men. Yes, we may be inclined to attempt to justify the difficulties we are experiencing by virtue of not having any specific solution to the problem of crime.

However, from the information shared above, we can certainly see that environmental influences can dictate to a great extent, the personality traits of the young individual as he or she moves into the adult world. In other words, if we are to have the right sort of behaviour from our young citizens who obviously will be the adults of tomorrow, we need to provide the right type of influences. We cannot go back into the past, but we can use the experiences of the past to help us find possible solutions for the present and future. Let us look at the present situation and what is taking place with our youths in all villages and communities. Firstly, we now have most families with working mothers, where the children are taken to a kindergarten or left in the care of someone. Secondly, although the father is looked upon as the head of the home, there is at present a considerable amount of conflict existing between the authority figures in the home, ie the father and mother.

Thirdly, too often parents find that it is much easier to leave their children in the care of that most destructive medium of communication — the television set — supplying constantly, trash from countries like America and others. Fourthly, the reported misbehaviour of persons who are supposed to be exemplars in our society is seriously affecting the moral values of the entire population. Fifth, the availability and use of narcotics by both old and young people. Sixth, consumption of alcohol and smoking of cigarettes by young persons. I have treated with just a few things that we should consider in our attempt to find possible answers to our problem of crime. In attempting to find and implement possible solutions, we must remember that it must come from the people of every community, who will examine the problem and causes unique to each village or community.

Every village primary school should be a venue for meetings to include parents, teachers, police officers, service clubs, NGOs, business persons, and youth clubs, all coming together to save this ship from running aground. After all, we are a creative people. God has blessed us with some natural resources. We are a literate people, with a potential to make significant progress, which will eventually bring success and peace of mind to every family in this beautiful land of ours. No country in this world is free of crime. However, when we come together as a people, to share a common vision, with a commitment to the survival and growth of all people, living in harmony and peace, we can never go wrong. This is not an impossible dream. With visionary leadership and firm commitment on the part of each one of us, we can live as partners in achievement and not opponents in a struggle. May God bless our nation.

COLVIN BLAIZE
Chaguanas