Latest update January 4th, 2025 5:30 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

There’s a side to Mashramani that is inappropriate for children

Feb 23, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
We join the people of Guyana in celebrating our 47th anniversary as a Cooperative Republic on 23rd February 2017. We hope that this year’s anniversary will be celebrated in a spirit of national pride and dignity. However we are deeply concerned that previous Mashramani Festivals have resulted in public behaviour that is damaging to the mental and physical well-being of the child. Children should not be brought up in an atmosphere which suggests that being drunk is either desirable or normal behaviour, yet public drunkenness has become a feature of Mashramani.
Children should be taught decency, self-respect and self-control. Instead they have been encouraged to ‘wine-up’ or to watch adults gyrating in sexually suggestive ways. We are also deeply concerned that during Mashramani children are subjected to lyrics promoting violence and sexual licence. How is a child to value his or herself when national celebrations are teaching that child that degrading behaviour is desirable?
In addition to the moral and spiritual harm to the child, there is the risk of physical injury. We wish to remind those engaged in the music industry that noise induced hearing loss begins at 85 decibels, a level of noise which is exceeded significantly by large speakers located on floats or the roadside. This noise has a disproportionate impact on children whose bodies are still growing and developing.
The Rights of the Child Convention, which is incorporated into our Constitution, reminds us that “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection…..” It is incumbent on us individually and nationally to protect our children from harm. We therefore call on the Guyana Police Force to ensure that all music is kept below 85 decibels. We ask DJs and musicians not to play music which promotes violence and sexual licence. And we ask all parents to ensure that their children do not suffer the embarrassment of an intoxicated mother or father.
Omattie Madray for
CHILD RIGHTS ALLIANCE

Melinda Janki for
JUSTICE INSTITUTE GUYANA

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GBBFF boss reflects on milestones and leadership transition

GBBFF boss reflects on milestones and leadership transition

Jan 04, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- Guyana’s bodybuilding scene has reached unprecedented heights, with outgoing President of the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), Keavon Bess, hailing 2024 as...
Read More
National stars shine in GCF End of Year Chess Tournament

National stars shine in GCF End of Year Chess...

Jan 04, 2025

Two more young cricketers benefit from Project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”.

Two more young cricketers benefit from Project...

Jan 04, 2025

Tonight: Sparta Boss goes up against Bent Street ‘A’ for K&S National Futsal title

Tonight: Sparta Boss goes up against Bent Street...

Jan 03, 2025

Botafgo pummel Milerock, 11-7, to become new UDFA Christmas Futsal Champions 

Botafgo pummel Milerock, 11-7, to become new UDFA...

Jan 03, 2025

BCB player transfer window opens for 2025 

BCB player transfer window opens for 2025 

Jan 03, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]