tribune reader speaks out aginst child abuse

A good letter from a concerned parent expressing concern about the iinstitutionalised violence in our schools and in some homes. would that more people would make their thoughts public.As Janet Reno said years ago. We wil not stop violence in our streets until we stop violence in our homes

EDITOR, The Tribune.
The incident that took place recently involving the C I Gibson student allegedly abused has prompted me to share my opinion on the matter.
The unimaginable amount of abuse cases documented, that if publicised, would crush the Ministry of Education, should be ranked as highest priority by our government.
Many in this country believe that beating is the only way to curb disobedient behaviour in children. "Spare the rod, spoil the child", a Bible scripture often quoted to justify the grave misuse of 'the rod'. Could one possibly think for a second that God, as merciful and humble as we know him to be, would instruct us to beat his children as well as our own to the point of acute pain, bleeding or even bruising as the Roman soldiers had done our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ before his crucifixion? This cannot possibly make one ounce of logical sense! Sadly, many teachers and administrators in this Bahamaland still cling tightly to this primitive and barbaric way of thinking instead of realising the obvious. That violence begets violence. Don't get me wrong, all children need discipline, especially in this modern age of technology and all of its influences. However, there are many, many other ways of doing so other than lashing out in anger and rage of personal stress on innocent children.
Commissioner of Police Mr Reginald Ferguson stated earlier this month that children now have easier access to firearms than ever before and that kids as young as nine-years-old are renting guns on the streets of New Providence.
Hypothetically speaking, should a young, impressionable and more importantly abused child retaliate against a school administrator for harshly abusing him/her, there would be a media frenzy as to how 'out of control' our youth have become. Violence begets violence! If no one is there to stand up for the rights of children, they will inevitably fall down a course of destruction in an attempt to defend themselves.
We must practice enough humility in this place to realise that children do have a say. Their opinions and rights are of equal or greater importance than adults in this country. Of course, there are boundaries, rules and regulations for them to follow, but doesn't this hold true for adults as well?
The Bahamian Government as well as the Ministry of Education must enforce stricter penalties for child abuse!
I visited my son's PTA meeting last week and a parent took it upon herself to give a brief testimonial of how strict she was/is with her children. The examples of discipline given were absolutely appalling rather than encouraging, and left most parents flabbergasted. After all of the horror stories were shared, she then gave the teacher permission to "tear up" her daughter, should she step out of line. Now, what is defined as 'stepping out of line' in order to warrant being 'torn up'? I literally went home that night and cried to know that kids right around us suffer this way. To endure this kind of treatment at home and then have to face it at school as well, would be unbearable for most of us.
We are raising people, remarkable people that will be our future leaders, not animals for slaughter! Do we want these emotionally hurt and scarred children to lead our country into tomorrow? I think not! This tiny country needs to stop acting like Africa and sweeping these heinous acts under the rug. This is a big deal and needs to come to an end. If only Amnesty International could hold a public press conference here!
Many say that we should be proud to be Bahamian. Well I need more than sun, sand and sea to be truly proud. I need a nation that is fair and just. A nation that stands up for fundamental rights of human beings and of equal opportunity and I really don't think we're exactly there yet.
SUELLYN R SMITH
Nassau,
September 28, 2009.