The inquiry into the state of contemporary parenting practices raises concerns about the apparent decline in parental guidance. Recent events capturing minors engaging in unlawful activities have sparked widespread interest in this subject.
On Christmas Day, footage emerged showing underage individuals, some as young as 13, consuming alcohol in the Harare Central Business District. Subsequently, young girls were filmed drinking beer in Murewa, Mashonaland East province.
Early initiation into smoking among children
Instances of such nature involving minors are progressively on the rise nationwide. Notably, last year, Dominican Convent High School in Harare expelled eight students due to drug-related issues.
Various stakeholders, including ordinary citizens, religious leaders, social workers, and psychologists, attribute the surge in juvenile delinquency to inadequate parenting.
Arlington Shava from Mabvuku in Harare expressed concerns about the shift in societal norms, highlighting the lack of communal responsibility in disciplining errant children. He emphasized the prevailing trend of parents neglecting their duty to correct their children’s behavior.
Alarming Statistics
Official data from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare underscores the severity of juvenile delinquency as a nationwide crisis. The ministry identifies poor parenting as a primary factor contributing to this escalating trend.
Mrs. Susan Ngani, a social welfare officer in Harare, lamented the distressing situation within communities. She noted a troubling correlation between the prevalence of substance abuse and the enabling environment within some households.
According to Mrs. Ngani, dysfunctional family structures and lax parental supervision are common denominators among troubled youth. The absence of strict discipline and guidance exacerbates behavioral issues among adolescents.
While educational institutions are often identified as hubs for illicit activities, residential settings also serve as breeding grounds for substance abuse. Investigative reports from The Sunday Mail Society highlighted the easy accessibility of alcoholic beverages, including prominent brands, to minors in residential areas.
Father Paul Mayeresa, a Roman Catholic priest, linked criminal tendencies among youth to fractured family units. He underscored the adverse impact of exposure to negative influences during formative years.
Moreover, Fr. Mayeresa raised concerns about the psychological well-being of some parents, noting their failure to fulfill essential parental obligations.
Psychologist Dr. Nisbert Mangoro associated inadequate parenting with early marriages, leading to unplanned parenthood. He also cited cultural erosion as a contributing factor to parental shortcomings.
Dr. Mangoro emphasized the pivotal role parents play in shaping their children’s future and highlighted the repercussions of neglectful parenting practices.
Traditionalist Mbuya Calista Magorimbo echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of instilling cultural values in children. She underscored the detrimental effects of urbanization on traditional upbringing practices, leading to the adoption of unfavorable behaviors.
Furthermore, Mbuya Magorimbo lamented the diminishing communal involvement in child-rearing, attributing it to the influence of foreign cultures that discourage collective responsibility.
Proposed Solutions
Child rights advocate Ethel Nharira called for a reevaluation of existing child protection laws to align them with societal norms and values. She criticized certain legal provisions that hinder parents from disciplining their children effectively.
Nharira emphasized the need for a balanced approach that upholds discipline while safeguarding children’s rights. She highlighted the detrimental impact of restrictive laws on parental authority and advocated for legislative reforms to address these challenges.
Psychologist and post-doctoral researcher Dr. John Ringson identified behavioral issues in minors as potential indicators of post-traumatic stress disorders. He underscored the role of parental neglect in exacerbating children’s emotional well-being.
Dr. Ringson emphasized the detrimental effects of poor parenting practices, including physical and emotional abuse, on children’s mental health. He stressed the importance of parental education and suggested interventions to support struggling parents.
In conclusion, Dr. Ringson called for the implementation of laws that empower social workers to intervene in cases of severe parental neglect. While acknowledging the complexities of such interventions, he deemed them essential in safeguarding children’s well-being.