Fathers must fulfill their roles in lives of children

Sep 27, 2010 News

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– Riehl

As Child Protection week comes to a close, the People’s National Congress Reform says that the role of the father in the development of the child is important and the party is calling on all religious organisations, private and public sectors employers, and the media to encourage fathers to honour their responsibilities and fulfill their role in the lives of their children.
This is according to Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and PNCR Member of Parliament, Clarissa Riehl who said that society has downplayed the important and pivotal role of the father in the development of a child’s life.
She said that her party joins with the rest of the international community in their observance of Child Protection Week, which was nationally co-ordinated by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Incorporated (NAPCAN Inc.).
She said that her party believes that every child is special and is born with the potential, which, if carefully and lovingly nurtured, can make a positive contribution for the future development of Guyana.
She said that her party believes that, consistent with the maxim, “No one can do everything, but rather, everyone can do something”, the growth, nurturing and protection of our children must be the responsibility of every Guyanese.
According to Riehl, all forms of child predatory behaviour must be guarded against and stamped out.
“We must all be watchful and seek to discourage the growth of the nascent deviant behaviour that seems to have invaded our society.”
Riehl charges that society must address the challenges posed by the growing number of single-parent households, which represent the largest number and the most common type of family unit.

“The blame for the problems besetting children in single-parent households, cannot be totally placed on the single parent, since he/she is forced to seek to improve the economic conditions facing their homes, by seeking employment wherever and whenever possible.”
According to Riehl, in most cases, because of the educational and/or skill levels of the parent, the types of employment available, require him/her to spend the critical quality hours away from the home.
Riehl posited that the reality is that, because of the economic and social demands to earn a “living”, the heads of single-parent households are often unable to provide their children with the type of supervision and guidance which they need in their daily lives.
“This often results in the children being exposed to the various types of predatory abuses which have become prevalent in our society.”
She said that many single parents are forced to rely on the teachers to fulfill their role as supervisors in the lives of their children.
As such, she suggested that if the school system is unable or incapable of providing this necessary support, the vulnerability of the child to abuse is exacerbated.
“It must be recognised that the family is the bedrock of any society, therefore, when the family unit becomes dysfunctional, the society has lost a critical social mechanism for the development and protection of our children.”
Riehl said that the lack of parental supervision often leads to various types of abuses, resulting in school attendance being low, school drop-out rates high, more street children, mini-bus riders and children vendors.
“We must revisit organised after school activities, such as the establishment of social and sports clubs, which provide wholesome support for the overall development of children.”
She said that organisations, such as the YMCA and the YWCA must be encouraged to play an increasingly proactive role for the positive social orientation, development and protection of the nation’s children.
She said that the absence of recreational facilities, such as playfields, in many neighbourhoods, must be urgently addressed in every community.
Riehl stressed that her party reaffirms their commitment for the development and protection of the children of this nation.
The PNCR has established several literacy groups which are intended to contribute towards the empowerment of each and every child. In this way, “Every child can be something”, can become a reality.
“The emphasis must be on providing an enabling environment for the development and protection of our children.”
Riehl charged that adults and leaders, at all levels of our society, must become positive examples and role models for our children.
“The publicly observable examples of executive lawlessness, corruption and predatory behaviour, including rising child pornography and sex trafficking, cannot contribute to the creation of the sort of environment where our children can feel safe and protected…In addition, the present reality of pervasive and rising levels of extreme poverty is certainly not conducive for the creation of the needed child friendly environment.”

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