The Soloist, Contributor

If after reading this column, you think that I hate mothers, think again. What I abhor, are the scores of men and women who become mothers and fathers and have not the slightest clue about how to care for and nurture these precious human beings. The reason for my anger this time is last Thursday's A2 story in this newspaper under the headline: '16-y-o murdered in Manchester'.

Sadly, another young life has been lost all because of improper parenting. Call it what you will, if this mother had control of her teen daughter, there is no way on earth that she could be cohabiting with an older man so soon. And, what manner of animal is he, to have gone into this type of 'relationship' with one so young? I wonder if he has children her age, and what his reaction would be if someone did the same to his child?

We are a sick set of people. If it's the economics of the times, then we have to examine our values and what examples we are passing on to our children. Whatever happened to growing up, getting an education and earning a living, the old-fashioned way? How did this young girl juggle relationship challenges while being a student? No wonder Jamaica's exam results continue to be so poor and no wonder the illiteracy rate is so high.

The allegations

Now, before we cast the stones, let's remember that all of these are allegations. Still, the mother seemed to be well aware that her teenage daughter was living with a man who could almost be her grandpa. And 'Mommie Dearest' even admitted on television to giving said man a meal. What took the cake in that story was the sentence: "Neighbours reportedly heard the couple arguing that same night."

We have to get a grip on our parenting styles. We have to look into our souls and decide if we really want to raise children who think loose morals are to replace a proper upbringing where children do only the things they ought to do during childhood and wait to be fully functional adults before taking on adult behaviours and responsibilities.

The next few weeks and months will be difficult for this mother, but when the dust has settled on her daughter's grave, I hope she will use some time to reflect and perhaps try to prevent the same thing from happening to other families.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com