The New Culture of “Criminal Parenting”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A few weeks ago, a mother spoke highly of her child on national television, explaining how the child kept her up to date on the latest material possessions.

This child of hers was quite young, had no job and no clear means of income. So I ask why was she so proud of this? 

Sadly this woman is not alone. There are countless mothers and fathers out there living off the ill begotten means of their children without question. Some mothers are actually “pimping out” their teen daughters for money and material gain to grown, and sometimes, married men. This is a norm in our Bahamaland. 

Children are being robbed of their childhoods and tossed into some skewered form of adulthood, long before the world is ready for them. Speaking to some young people, you realize early in the conversation they are taught by their parents that quick money and material possessions are priority and education and earning a salary honestly, is secondary or unnecessary. 

These parents could care less if their children go to school, as they are bringing money into the house from unknown sources. When these children actually grace the school halls, they are a nuisance to their teachers as they feel money is in their pockets and they really have no business being forced by any law to do anything they don’t want to. The teacher is seen as the enforcer and suffers the defiance of these little monsters in the making. 

What is this new culture of parenting? Some would deem it an element of criminal behavior, as the custodians of the future of our country are turning them into prostitutes, thieves and drug dealers. Harsh, but true words. 

Meanwhile, there are some parents who continue to nurture their children making sure they are properly educated, well rounded, well behaved and cultured individuals. Believe it or not, many of these types of parents are illegal, foreign nationals. 

The prime minister, in this address to the nation, admonished parents to make good homes for their children – homes that are loving, warm, encouraging and caring. Many children who don’t have this are being recruited from school to join gangs that offer the feeling of “belonging”.

Parents, God has given you the gift of bringing a life into the world and nurturing that life into adulthood. Not everyone was given that gift. Why destroy it? Well that’s how I see it, anyway.

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