THE EDITOR, Sir:

I was disheartened a few months ago when I visited a couple of children's homes and saw the alarming number of children there. They are as young as five months to 17 years old.

What was even more alarming was the fact that one of the homes had five children from one family. This is unfortunate! If you cannot carry out the duties in having a family, why start one?

The National Family Planning Board is always advertising its advice, whether or not you are planning for a family.

Regarding the sexual abuse of the vulnerable, I cannot fathom how anyone in his or her right mind could ever look to hurt a child. There are cases where children are being molested by their brothers, fathers, and even uncles

'god help us'

These criminals are crude, heartless and wicked. I grieve with the families of sex abuse victims and pray that the justice system will do something to eliminate this problem. God help us and have mercy on them.

Any home that is dysfunctional will have a negative impact on the child. A child whose mother or father is not there or lives with them but could care less does not know what it's like to have a mother or father's love.

With the exception of a few, children who grow up in a dysfunctional home have little or no expectation for anything much in life. The child who sees her mother being beaten half to death day and night, has nightmares, and no longer understands what family values are. For those who decide to have a family, the same abusive cycle may continue.

We need to start showing concern for our children by caring for them. We need to start looking at preventative methods instead of the cure. We need to plan for our children.

Let us not kick back and wait. Take action now!

DANIELLE CAMERON

Social Work Student

stcdic09@gmail.com