MAY is Child Month here in the Cayman Islands and the government theme this year is “Open your heart to children”.

The Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands have also designated May to children, Their theme is “I am special … fill me with music”.

Children are the MOST IMPORTANT beings in our lives. It is from what they see, what they learn and how they behave is what shapes our whole society when they grow into adulthood.

Yet in our society today we neglect them more than we nurture them.

Mrs. Diahann Gordon-Harrison, Children’s Advocate, in a Panel Discussion last month in Jamaica revealed that parental neglect was the leading category of child abuse with reported cases increasing from 6,675 in 2011 to 7,185 in 2012. She also highlighted the negative impact of social media through which youth were being subliminally prepared to receive sexual attention. She noted that cases of sexual abuse of children increased from 2,671 cases in 2011 to 2,756 in 2012; and that parents were often perpetrators of this abuse.

Mrs. Gordon Harrison asserted that ill-equipped parents were incapable of nurturing well-adjusted children, and she urged members of the Church to help address this situation by guiding youngsters with whom they interact, building their self-esteem and speaking out against child abuse.

The Children’s Advocate defined corruption as “the cold calculated theft of opportunity that stifles economic growth, undermines social capital, shows contempt for law and order and fosters inequitable distribution of wealth.” She referred to a Survey conducted by her Office in 2014, which showed children as both perpetrators and victims of corruption and crimes, including murder. The Survey featured Focus Group sessions involving youngsters from the Rio Cobre Juvenile Facility and the Children’s Advisory Panel – a caucus group established by the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) and which meets monthly.

Mrs. Gordon-Harrison cited statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force which indicated that in 2012/13 there were 479 offences in which children were perpetrators and this number increased to 565 in 2013/14.

She explained that while some members of both Focus Groups shared similar community backgrounds and home life, the persons who influenced their socialization were very different. This, it was believed, accounted for the deviant behavior in one group compared to members of the other group. Referring to a Social Learning Theory which states that children emulate the behaviour of people around them, Mrs. Gordon-Harrison emphasized the importance of positive role models. She recommended the strengthening of parenting and conflict resolution programmes with the establishment of parent hubs in communities, as well as, robust and continuous education programmes at the national level to reinforce community initiatives.

SOURCE: http://www.anglicandioceseja.org/?p=3362

To raise awareness of the important role the community has in making the Cayman Islands a better place for all children, the local Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has partnered with the Ministry of Community Affairs, Youth & Sports and other organisations to plan a month of educational sessions and public events that all families will enjoy.

For a full list of Child Month events or for more information, contact DCFS at 949-0290, or email [email protected].

Don’t just “Open Your Heart to Children” in May. Don’t just tell your children they are “special and fill them with music” in May. Do it 12 months of EVERY year.

When we fail to educate our children, fail to give them love, fail to listen and talk to them, fail to play with them, fail to read to them, fail to teach them Christian values, watch what they are watching and behave as model citizens ourselves in our work, play and how we speak, our future is bleak.

For all time open your hearts to ALL children, not just your own. Every child is very special. Fill all children with music.

I leave the last words to Minister Osbourne Bodden:

“We want our parents and guardians to feel confident in their ability to care for their children but also reassured that help is available to them when they need it. We want to create a culture in which it is not seen as a sign of failure for parents to ask for help and support. This isn’t about dictating to parents how to bring up their own child. It is about making it easier for them to understand the positive difference they can make in their child’s development, helping equip them for the journey and ultimately making parenting an even more rewarding experience. It’s also about ensuring parents and guardians get the support they need to prevent problems from arising or escalating, and as such is a clear demonstration of our commitment to prevention and early intervention, and improving children and young people’s lives. Let us continue to engage their bright young minds, show them love, share time with them, as well as inspire and motivate them to achieve their dreams, as they will grow to shape and strengthen our community.”