Prevention is Better than Cure – No Child is Beyond Redemption

Gender-based Violence Poetry and Essay Competition ‘… Full Time it fi Stop’

Children are not born with bad intentions. So when a boy ends up in a gender-based violent situation, it’s either the influence of the family, the community, their unmet educational learning needs or they have attached themselves to an anti-social behavioural peer group that led them down the path of destruction. The Bible puts it this way ‘Do not be misled, bad association spoils useful habits’ (1 Corinthians 15v33 NWT).

The first influence of a boy’s character is built within the home, so that is the first place to be explored, to see what changes can encourage healthy personal growth and development.

Possible Causes

A healthy family environment is where children should expect to be loved and shown affection. Disagreements are to be resolved by communicating, not dealt with by striking the child. What mothers and fathers fail to realise is that when they discipline their boys by striking rather than talking, they are building a boy into a man that will see physical force as a realistic means of resolution. But they will upgrade the belt or the instrument used to a gun or a knife. It will not only be gender-based, but domestic violence will be prevalent amongst these men.

We turn to the educational environment where boys that are low-level achievers are usually the persons referred to in this matter; as they see themselves as failures, and without family support, they become defenceless because, if you fail at school as a Jamaican child you have no hope of achieving anywhere else; as education is the ‘known’ key to success, in the Jamaican society.

Some boys do not process learning conventionally, and there doesn’t appear to be any-other learning model in place to allow them to become achievers. Boys, who turn to crime, usually feel rejected by their family and the educational system; ‘the towers’ expected to support their progression in life. And those who do not fit into the cultural and creative industries of Jamaica will form or find a family or community that will accept them. The group is of boys and men with similar experiences. As dysfunctional as it is, acceptance is what keeps them together, and survival is their key to success.

Recommendations

We have to find ways to allow all boys to become achievers and learning approaches that will meet their educational needs.

Dr Carol Ann Tomlinson is the developer of the Differentiated Classroom - responding to the needs of all learners. ‘The Differentiated Classroom/Instruction means using different teaching methods in the classroom with students of diverse learning abilities, yet following the standardised curriculum, but adapting it to the learning ability of each student’. 

We have to accept ‘One Size Does Not Fit All’. Not all boys learn the conventional way. 

Another way we can eliminate this situation is to provide innovative boys’ programmes specific to their needs; i.e. programmes to help them view themselves and the world positively; while ensuring that further training and employment is available after any initial training.  

In conclusion

To prevent a continuation of this gender-based violent situation, we need to examine the family, the education system and the attitude amongst Authority. It is necessary to give all under-achieving boys a voice and make every attempt to provide holistic secondary education available. These are the places where I believe we should start. 

3rd Place Award Winning Essay

Written for Children First (Project GYAL)

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