Make the Family Strong
The backbone is one of the most crucial bones in the human body. Without it, standing, sitting, bending, running, walking and other actions that are often taken for granted will become practically impossible. Comprising of several little bones called vertebrae, which are very closely linked, the backbone also acts as excellent protection for the body’s main high-tech “fiber-optic” communication “cable” called the spinal cord. The “cable” which has the brain as its main message center connects to every part of the human physique. Any damage to this cable may result in mild or permanent paralysis. Social scientists may have looked at the significant function the backbone plays and concluded that the institution of the family has to be the backbone of society because without it, mankind’s social order will be far from stable, secure, and strong.
As we approach a new decade, it may be an excellent idea if each Barbadian resolves to enrich family life.
Commit to Building Homes
Houses as lovely as they may look are not homes. John Henry Jowett was on point when he said: “The house is an accumulation of brick and stone, with an assorted collection of manufactured goods; a home is the abiding place of ardent affection, of fervent hope, of genial trust.” He added if “life and love and joy and rest” are also placed in a house, then “we shall have secured a home.”
The question that must occupy our minds is: have we exercised enough muscle toward building homes as we have toward houses? The diverse social and other negative challenges with which our Nation is faced may offer us a clear answer. If each husband, wife, mother, father, and child devotes quality time, talent and tenderness toward building more homes, I believe our present and future generation may be able to enjoy a better life.
Commit to Valuing Children
The words of the late President Lyndon Johnson caught my interest when he addressed students and parents at Howard University on June 04, 1965: “The family is the cornerstone of our society. More than any other force it shapes the attitude, the hopes, the ambitions, and the values of the child. And when the family collapses it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale the community itself is crippled. So, unless we work to strengthen the family, to create conditions under which most parents will stay together, all the rest — schools, playgrounds, and public assistance, and private concern — will never be enough.” Let a greater concern strike in our hearts for our children, some of whom are brought into this world by unprepared parents who have little or no clearly defined goals for their future. A more cohesive proactive strategy involving parents and children's agencies and other stakeholders is necessary to strengthen the tender “plants” of our Nation.
Commit to Reshaping Educational System
Strong voices from many corners of the society continue to register their disquiet regarding the structure of the educational system under which we operate. Too many of our students are academically trained but seem to fall short in effectively handling life issues that demand more than the acquisition of knowledge. Someone put it this way: “We teach academic subjects and we assume life skills will somehow be acquired along the way. Not a safe assumption! The curriculum has to include things like communication, conflict resolution, family dynamics, critical thinking, values, and ethics.”
Since the family is the anchor that secures the society from drifting away from a place of safety, isn’t it worth the effort and resources to tailor school programs to reflect a stronger family focus? At this crucial time in our nation’s history, what an opportune moment for all concerned organizations to put their heads together and devise a workable family-oriented plan.
While we take pleasure in looking at our achievements, we must never fail to give superior attention to the very backbone of our nation – the natural family. If this mainstay is damaged thoughtlessly, the rippling effects on every facet of our nation may not only be affected severely but also infected seriously.
As we approach a new decade, it may be an excellent idea if each Barbadian resolves to enrich family life.
Commit to Building Homes
Houses as lovely as they may look are not homes. John Henry Jowett was on point when he said: “The house is an accumulation of brick and stone, with an assorted collection of manufactured goods; a home is the abiding place of ardent affection, of fervent hope, of genial trust.” He added if “life and love and joy and rest” are also placed in a house, then “we shall have secured a home.”
The question that must occupy our minds is: have we exercised enough muscle toward building homes as we have toward houses? The diverse social and other negative challenges with which our Nation is faced may offer us a clear answer. If each husband, wife, mother, father, and child devotes quality time, talent and tenderness toward building more homes, I believe our present and future generation may be able to enjoy a better life.
Commit to Valuing Children
The words of the late President Lyndon Johnson caught my interest when he addressed students and parents at Howard University on June 04, 1965: “The family is the cornerstone of our society. More than any other force it shapes the attitude, the hopes, the ambitions, and the values of the child. And when the family collapses it is the children that are usually damaged. When it happens on a massive scale the community itself is crippled. So, unless we work to strengthen the family, to create conditions under which most parents will stay together, all the rest — schools, playgrounds, and public assistance, and private concern — will never be enough.” Let a greater concern strike in our hearts for our children, some of whom are brought into this world by unprepared parents who have little or no clearly defined goals for their future. A more cohesive proactive strategy involving parents and children's agencies and other stakeholders is necessary to strengthen the tender “plants” of our Nation.
Commit to Reshaping Educational System
Strong voices from many corners of the society continue to register their disquiet regarding the structure of the educational system under which we operate. Too many of our students are academically trained but seem to fall short in effectively handling life issues that demand more than the acquisition of knowledge. Someone put it this way: “We teach academic subjects and we assume life skills will somehow be acquired along the way. Not a safe assumption! The curriculum has to include things like communication, conflict resolution, family dynamics, critical thinking, values, and ethics.”
Since the family is the anchor that secures the society from drifting away from a place of safety, isn’t it worth the effort and resources to tailor school programs to reflect a stronger family focus? At this crucial time in our nation’s history, what an opportune moment for all concerned organizations to put their heads together and devise a workable family-oriented plan.
While we take pleasure in looking at our achievements, we must never fail to give superior attention to the very backbone of our nation – the natural family. If this mainstay is damaged thoughtlessly, the rippling effects on every facet of our nation may not only be affected severely but also infected seriously.