The Editor, Sir:

So The Gleaner "tek serious ting mek joke!" That was obvious from one of the cartoons seen in the Monday, October 26th issue in which a policeman was depicted threatening to "lock up" the mother of a delinquent.

But I want to let Minister of Education Andrew Holness know that based on an unofficial poll I've been taking among 'ordinary' Jamaicans, he has the support of seven out of 10 adults! Yes, there are many of us who agree that parents should be held more accountable for neglect and encouraging their offspring's deviant behaviour!

To stress the point, let me highlight just a few areas where parents are very much accountable:

At the beginning of this new school year, The Gleaner itself highlighted the fact that several students were evicted from school because they were "out of uniform" or attired in tight, pencil-type pants or way-too-short skirts. A school corridor is not a fashion show runway! How could parents not only get such uniforms made, but allow their children to show up in those get-ups?!

Provocative dress

Why do some mothers allow their daughters to dress so provocatively and to expose 'modest' body parts? Do they like it when their daughters get leering looks and worse, nasty comments from men whose intentions are far from honourable?

Other media houses recently reported a mother who took her two teenage daughters to a dancehall. That mother was held accountable because her children were both underage and the venue most unsuitable for children. Shame on her and all like her!

Students of all ages and from all types of schools are seen late at nights (between 8 and 10 p.m. and even later) - in uniforms - loitering at bus stops/transport centres, shopping malls and other places. How is this responsible parenting? Why aren't these children at home? Why haven't their parents ensured that they get home after school, do their chores (yes, not all will be able to afford a helper when they grow up), homework, watch appropriate TV programmes and then get to bed? These are often the same students seen at the bus stops/centres at 7:30 a.m. and later when most schools start at 7:30.

Nuff gyal innah bungle

Then there are fathers who encourage their sons to "have nuff gyal innah bungle" and mothers who insist that their daughters find a man by a certain age and so absolve them of their financial responsibilities! Many of them are the same parents who weep and carry on in the media when their children go missing or get involved in bloodletting violence because of man/woman arguments!

Let's cut out the hypocrisy. Too many of us know our 'baby' is no angel, but quickly get to the school to 'discipline'/attack the teachers who dare to discipline our child! But do these same parents ever go to a parent-teacher association meeting or form teacher/guidance counsellors' meeting? Oh no! They don't have time for that!

Our society is now reaping the whirlwind because of negligent and lousy parenting! It is time to hold those who foster antisocial behaviour accountable, and do it early!

I am, etc.,

KAREN JEAN E. BROWN

lizzie_jm38@yahoo.co.uk

Liguanea, St Andrew