NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Children taking on adult responsibilities, and in some cases, sacrificing their education just to help keep a roof over their family’s head is a reality Senior Probation Officer Angelo King says he has encountered firsthand.
King warns that when children are forced to grow up too soon, the consequences can follow them for years.
Angelo King – Sr. Probation Officer, Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services
“You have young men that are, of course they are packing bag or they…[have] other jobs. And these jobs are to support the household. And because they have to support the household, they neglect going to school sometimes. And the few that actually go to school, they do not have the time to study and have the time to actually be a child.”
From helping to pay the rent and mortgage to putting food on the table, King says some children are carrying burdens that should belong to adults.
However, money isn’t the only concern.
“I think if you took the time to have a child with somebody you should do your utmost, you try your best to be together. If it just happens that it doesn’t work, then you should be at least mature enough to basically be out and coparent,” King said.
So, when a child does end up before the courts, King says the Department’s role goes well beyond offering advice, as probation officers monitor everything from school attendance to behavior.
Angelo King – Sr. Probation Officer, Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services
“It’s my responsibility to write back to the court, let the court know, hey, listen, this person is not behaving inside school. This particular person is missing their curfew.”
King also has a warning for parents who turn to probation officers simply to frighten their children into behaving.
Angelo King – Sr. Probation Officer, Department of Rehabilitative and Welfare Services
“Please do not try to use this for a scare tactics because that’s what a lot of parents do. They come in to try scare kids to say, hey, I want them to go to boys, but they really don’t want them to go to boys. We don’t do that. Once the supervision order is prepared, that’s signed by the Magistrate and stamped by the Magistrate, it gives us the authority.”
