Child Month : Our Children Need Better Examples

One Caribbean Nation

By The Mahogany Coconut Group

Caribbean School ChildrenAdd caption

As we observe another Child Month in Barbados and elsewhere in the region, the realities our children face, become clear and disheartening. Economic and social problems; rising crime; deteriorating environments and faltering economies, will all have negative impact on the lives and future of our children.

We are not proclaiming that efforts are not being made to protect those children who are most vulnerable. However, we must admit, that with floundering economies, these efforts are becoming more difficult to execute successfully. The failure to reform the educational system, is also contributing to our children’s future being imperiled. It has now been grudgingly accepted that the system, is not capable of producing the type of citizen, who can easily fit into the changing global economic order.

Many regional governments are also being confronted by health concerns such as obesity. A few studies, have concluded that childhood obesity, is a major problem because of new lifestyles which direct our children toward fast foods and more sedentary habits. Our children, like their counterparts in north America, are spending their time on cell phones, electronic games and other activities, that exclude regular exercise.

These problems have manifested themselves because at least two generations of our children have been the victims of cultural penetration. Growth of the internet, virtual communication, and upward social and economic mobility have seen children being driven to schools that are located less than a mile from their homes.

The days of after school village games have all but disappeared because our children now play virtual games and the cell phone, has replaced the running, skipping, jumping and fun activities, that were once the center of village life. It’s amazing that islands with some of the best beaches in the world and excellent weather, can have children, who are inactive and lacking in physical movement. It’s the same irony with diet. We produce fruits of all varieties, but our children have fallen victim to sodas and artificially flavored snacks and juices.

It’s against this background that we believe our children need to see better examples from the adults, who are to blame for not instilling in them the importance of appreciating their environment. Why should the children “get up off the couch” when daddy and mummy are also glued to the cell phones electronic games and the car seat! The adage comes to mind: Children live what they see.

They deserve better examples.