Crime prevention

The Star Online > Focus

Wednesday February 14, 2007

Parental guidance is the key

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently launched a counselling programme to help curb social problems among the Malays.

Counselling programmes involving family institutions and the promotion of good values are in greater need today than ever before.

Family values must continue to be preserved and nurtured to act as a shield against the various social ills plaguing society.

When a nation progresses, the family institution will be the first victim with children not getting enough attention and guidance, leading to the emergence of various social ills affecting teenagers.

Malaysian parents today face the dilemma of how to strike a balance between their working career and nurturing their children. This is compounded by demanding employers who make their staff stay back late to finish work.

Another problem is the lack of parenting skills.

The fact is that parents are busy with their careers and are unable to spend quality time with their children. This results in thousands of urban children being left to the whims and mindsets of foreign maids, baby-sitters and, in some cases, relatives.

Children who return from school find themselves in empty homes as both their parents are at work. There is no one around to show parental love, teach and inculcate good family values.
Instead of seeking guidance from parents, these children do so from their peers.

The environment created by negative peer pressure will eventually lead to various social ills.
Children who grow up in such an environment will end up becoming victims of many social ills like truancy, violence in school, drug abuse and even crime.

Parents must be prepared to make an effort to spend time with their children.
They must be increasingly concerned about the quality of family life and constantly take steps to instil in their children the basic moral values needed to build the foundation of a strong, stable and cohesive society.

What is also needed is a continuous programme of moral strengthening and reinforcement to make children aware of their responsibilities to themselves, their parents, the community and the nation.

There must be a programme of inculcating values at all levels for children, youths and teenagers. Values such as obedience, filial piety, respect for elders, patience and tolerance, truth, responsibility, honour, etc need not be taught only in the formal atmosphere of classrooms.
It can also be done through music, song and drama to make these children think about human values and their importance.

Strong human values along with strong families are key to building a peaceful and stable community that will then lead to a stable nation.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE,
Vice-Chairman,
Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation.
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