Dear Editor,
Last week we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
When Guyana ratified the Convention in 1989, I was in active service to the Nation. The principles adumbrated in the articles of the Convention as contained in the letter by Ms. Shaquita Thomas in the November 21 SN `Adults must reflect on the rights that all children are entitled to under this UN Convention’ are perfect.
At the latter part of her letter she stressed the importance of Educational Institutions having enough space for recreation and outdoor activities for students.
Unhappily, some of our planners including the Municipalities seem to be unaware of this important requirement evident in Sections of our Capital.
But there is a more important matter that needs to be discussed.
Some of us emerged out of a generation where we were taught the wisdom of not ‘Sparing the Rod and spoil the Child.’
Everything requires discretion and balance in its application.
The failure to engage balance and discretion is evident in our society today.
In some of our schools, we see where our children see nothing wrong in boldly and openly ignoring teachers, parents and defying elders.
I say two things, first, mankind’s history, whether we like it or not is full of examples, where the rod is used against those who break the rules.
Of course, there is the difficult question of who has the right to make the rules.
The majority of us subscribe to one faith or the other, whether it be Rasta, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism or Christianity.
Take the underpinning principles and beliefs of the last named (and a similarity exists among all religions).
If you obey the rules, that is, live to the dictates of the Ten Commandments, you enjoy the pleasure of ‘Heaven’ in the next life but if you don’t there is a horrible hold of ‘Hell,’ a place of torment and misery.
That is a clear application of the rod.
As we discuss the convention, in our Schools, Churches, Mosques, Temples and the Community, we must, of course emphasize the Rights of the Child with equal fervour.
We must insert the watchword that children and adults, every hour of the day, and every day of the year, that they have a responsibility to be good citizens and to know the vast difference between right and wrong, poor performance and excellence.
Around Guyana today, there is abundant evidence that we seem to know all of our rights, oblivious of rules and our responsibility.
The next decade must correct some of the flaws noticeable since we signed on to the Convention thirty years ago.
In case, someone accuses me of supporting violence against children. This is not the case. If you step out of line, there must be some punishment that need not follow the path of so-called civilized Nations.
Our civilization is the result of the several wars, conflict, and inquisitions. But whether we like it or not, this is the reality.
Remember the days in every yard, in every community, teachers, pastors and elders were held in awe and respect by children.
This letter ends without giving the examples here and elsewhere of young men and women, who enjoyed these rights, ignoring or perhaps not knowing their responsibility and commiting all sorts of crime including patricide and matricide, an age of spoilt brats.
Our watchword must be discipline and lofty principles.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
