Dear Editor
PERHAPS it was the first amusement for me in 2018 after witnessing quite an unusual occurrence. Around 19:30hrs one evening recently, I was in a bar when a gentleman and a toddler walked in and sat just next to me. Immediately, the kid was adored by other patrons there and got offerings of his wish. Surprisingly though, the gentleman whom I later learnt was the father of the child, called at the bar and purchased two Guinness. At first I thought he was being generous to offer me one, even though I didn’t know him; instead he looked confident and proud as he handed the bottle to his son. I was stunned as the one-year and six months old boy drank the liquid. He didn’t seem upset either as he sipped the liquid many times and with some degree of expertise.
Fascinatingly, the father concurred that the boy can drink as much as three Guinness whenever he is in the mood. It was just an amazing sight as even the bartender was stunned. While I felt a sense of bewilderment at that point, it struck me too that parents in many instances act irresponsibly without knowing the consequences that it may have on their children later in life. In this case, is it an act of abuse or neglect?
Regards
Elroy Stephney