Growing concerns over youth violence in Antigua and Barbuda have led to renewed calls for increased parental involvement in children’s lives. MP Richard Lewis recently emphasized the critical role parents play in nurturing, guiding, protecting, and developing their children to ensure they follow the right path.

Lewis highlighted the need to “fix the family,” stating, “Socialisation begins in the home; that’s where it starts. And if there is a breakdown in the home, if there is a breakdown in the family structure, then we have a serious problem.” He commended parents who instill discipline and values in their children, while encouraging those who may be struggling to step up to their responsibilities.

The St John’s Rural West MP expressed concern over children left unsupervised, particularly in the mornings and after school, due to parents’ work commitments. He also addressed the challenges faced by single-parent households, often cited as a root cause of youth misbehavior.

“There is a situation where we have too many single parent families. When I was growing up we had a lot of single parent families, but we had the extended family – we had the grandmother, the grandfather, we had the village that raised the child,” Lewis reflected. He noted that today’s society often lacks this community support, with many people not even knowing their neighbors.

Lewis called on all parents, especially fathers, to guide their children along the right path to address youth violence and crime. He warned that children who feel unloved might seek acceptance among peers or in gangs.

The MP’s concerns echo those of other officials, including Director of Education Clare Browne, Deputy Director Jonah Greene, and Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who have all stressed the importance of parental responsibility in child-rearing.

As Antigua and Barbuda grapples with these issues, the focus remains on strengthening family structures and community support to provide a stable foundation for the nation’s youth.

Source: Observer Newsco