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Family fare

Aug 10, 2009 Editorial

The gradual breakdown of the family in Guyana had been the subject of countless editorials, analysis, debates, discussions and other well-meaning pontifications. The impact of that breakdown is clear for all to see in the anomie and anarchy that seem to characterise our societal interactions nowadays.

While the jury is still out on exactly what may have brought us to this sorry state, we cannot as a society wait for any definitive “smoking gun” – or more likely “guns” – but should embark on commonsense projects that can serve to strengthen the bonds that hold families together.

We believe that few would disagree with the claim that families that share experiences as a unit tend to become closer and more functional. And so too, families that share experiences with other families build more cohesive communities.

It therefore behooves us to facilitate opportunities for families in all our communities to participate in common activities. There has been (and continues to be) a commendable expansion of housing schemes across the land but it would appear that our planners have forgotten the need for parks, playgrounds and community centres that could act as magnets for group and family activities.

The fact that all of these new housing schemes draw families from diverse backgrounds and locales ensures that for quite a while the individual families will be isolated from each other and left to fend as best as they can on their own.

It was reported that the children of the latest murder-suicide, which occurred in the new scheme of Parfait-Harmonie, pretty much played by themselves in their yard. When Bookers (now GuySuCo) unfolded their scheme to move their workers from their logies into new housing schemes, they insisted that community centres and playgrounds be established and land for churches, mandirs and masjids be set aside.

These initiatives played a great part in ensuring that what was to become the greatest housing drive in the entire British West Indies (some 12,000 homes eventually) became model communities of progress and stability. We can do worse than emulate that successful effort from our own recent history.

Another avenue for family togetherness was the fairs and exhibitions that were once a staple of rural life in Guyana. Families would meander through the displays; enjoy the cultural shows; scream on the rides and savour the food and drinks.

It was good wholesome fun. Today these fairs have been replaced by chutney, dancehall and soca shows where vulgarity of the most demeaning form, abound. They are certainly not conducive towards building family ties and in fact go a far way in destroying them by the promotion of offensive and demeaning stereotypes of women. The Ministry of Agriculture, under its energetic Minister, can assist in the revival of the old-style Agricultural Fairs as a start.

Family-type shows can also be encouraged and sponsored. A perfect example is the “Naya Zamana” (New Generation) programme which just had its 15th annual outing at the National Cultural Centre. Under the theme, “Dancing through the ages” the show not only entertained the sold-out audience, consisting primarily of entire families, but educated them as well.

With verve and élan the astonishing range and heritage of Indian dance through the ages were explored– including its passage across the “kala pani”. Not in stuffy, didactic tones but in song and dance to which all could relate.

The organisers of this show, young professional women, are in themselves, role models for our youths, who we bemoan, are going astray.

If such shows can be replicated across Guyana, they will not only provide an opportunity for families to be entertained together but the opportunity for so many youths to become engaged in the discipline that is demanded in participating in and organising them. These youths can then become role models on their own – while creating a virtuous circle to boot.

Let us all work together to create more family fare.

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