SCOTLAND

Those with children have a responsibility to nurture them

IT is not before time that Edinburgh has decided to take action against parents whose lifestyles are the root cause of their own children's misbehaviour. Plans to issue up to ten parenting orders aimed at making the mothers and fathers of persistent troublemakers become more responsible parents will send out a strong signal that those who fail to exercise proper parental control and instil discipline will be punished.

With truancy rates running at an all-time high in Lothian schools - two-thirds above the national average - and teenage vandalism up 20 per cent year on year, there is clearly a need for decisive action. Few would contest that the Government's antisocial behaviour strategy, though well intentioned, is not working. Asbos against minors are rarely issued, take too long to obtain and have generally proved ineffective. Switching the focus on to the parents of delinquent children may prove a more productive route.

While children must learn to take responsibility for their behaviour some cannot be held totally culpable for their actions. Many are raised by uncaring parents, others by mothers and fathers addicted to either drugs or alcohol. With little parental control exercised and no role model in the home to guide and counsel them it is hardly surprising many are easily led off the straight and narrow. Although the legislation was passed more than 18 months ago allowing authorities to issue the wide-ranging orders there has been a reluctance to use them for fear of alienating parents.

But clearly a point has now been reached in some cases where conventional counselling and support has failed and it is to be hoped that more punitive action will help spark the necessary response, with the ultimate sanction being heavy fines or prison for parents who refuse to abide by whatever terms are laid down.

While many parents would misguidedly point to a whole series of external factors which lead their children to commit antisocial acts, in an attempt to absolve themselves of blame, there can be little doubt that the seeds that spawn it are largely sown in the home. Those who choose to have children have a responsibility to nurture them and teach them values, including the difference between right and wrong. In failing to do so they not only fail to make the grade as parents, but they fail their offspring as well. If they are unwilling to fulfil the role of educators and mentors they deserve to be taught the error of their ways.

Leader
21 August 2006

http://news.scotsman.com/leaders.cfm?id=1228612006

 
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