• Taking care of our troubled adolescents

Dear Dr Abel,

In your article of January 16, 2013, you raise important issues that have been neglected for a very long time. I agree with all your points and believe all Jamaicans want a solution to this issue, but we have our priorities wrong.

I believe one of the main problems is our disrespect for time. We are too lackadaisical and need to resolve our social problems in a timely manner. Therefore, the individuals who are appointed to important positions affecting young people must be productive and have effective time management skills. If not, they are not fully equipped to fill that position. Second, we must remind ourselves who we are and why the National Pledge was written.

If we all followed these ideals, child health and welfare would be a top national concern. But, there have been too many cries of corruption in Jamaica, and too much disrespect for those who are not successful. Where is our Jamaican pride that we are so quick to speak about but so slow to practise? Thank God for the churches. It doesn't matter the denomination; what matters is that everyone feels the love and care that they should feel and are taught to love and care for others, even if these messages are only relayed on Saturday or Sunday.

Sincerely

D.J. Francis

djfrancis@live.ca

• New Year's resolution: raising confident children

Dear Dr Grant Davis,

Thank you for a great column on December 26, 2012, 'Raising confident children'. I enjoyed it. I have two boys - three and half and 11 months old - and will be looking to improve on my parenting with the use of this article.

Bless!

Sincerely

Avid reader

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.