Leave our babies, let them grow

MOST children (5 – 10 years old) or pre-adolescent (11 – 13 years old) on this planet are not walking around thinking about sex or sexual encounters. These are not natural childhood thoughts or desires. Only if children are raised in a sexually explicit environment where they have seen people having sex in real life or via porn or have been sexually abused, will they develop a warped curiosity about sex and their sexuality, while relatively young.
When children’s lives are infiltrated by sex, it affects their personality and their outlook on life. Child sexual abuse diminishes the victims’ life chances due to the trauma they experience and continue to endure. It is not the children’s fault that they were exposed to carnal activities and knowledge before their time. Usually, there are uncaring, selfish or thoughtless adults to blame.

For example, a mother who knew very little about the man she brought into her home. A father who let his grown nephew sleep in the same room as his young daughters. A father who betrays the bond and trust of his daughter by molesting her. The grandmother who turns a blind eye to her son’s sexual liaisons with boys and girls under her roof. Because children do not understand the implications or emotions related to the sexual act, and because those who interfere with children are perverted, abused children are left with distorted views on the act, leading to some of them becoming over-sexed. Over-sexed children appear to think and know far too much about sex for their age and are commonly known as ‘force-ripe’.
If sexualised children had a choice, they would undoubtedly prefer to live a happy childhood without exposure to sexual activity. A secure and positive childhood is the foundation for creating level-headed, happy adults of the future – adults who will make valuable contributions to our workforce and society.

Only responsible adults can care for children the right way and direct them on the correct path in life. Adults have the power to teach children positive attributes and morals that will last them a lifetime. On the contrary, they also have the power to deny children their rights and subject them to a horrific existence, where childhood memories are best forgotten. Childhood is important because it shapes a person’s thinking and future in a major way. Researchers claim that children who have positive childhood memories have less chance of developing depression or poor mental health in adulthood. A Parent’s care towards his/her child is meant to be instinctive. There may be some trials and errors along the way, but parents will overcome obstacles and correct mistakes with the right mindset. To provide the best outcome for children on all levels, parents must look out for their educational, moral, and spiritual welfare. To ensure an adequate childhood, parents also need to guarantee their children’s emotional, physical and sexual safety from infancy.

For some parents, safeguarding children is not instinctive nor natural. Something is missing from their perception or understanding of childcare. The roles that parents play are distinctive in a child’s development. They need to first bond with their child and care for his/her needs, which include loving, nurturing, encouraging, and providing food and proper health care. This will help children grow and develop with a sense of stability and well-being. When these elements are not provided, children live in vulnerable situations and are at risk of harm. As children grow and become teenagers, parents may need to adapt and make adjustments to suit. However, children will always need their parents’ positive support, love and guidance in one way or another. For children who grow in an abusive or sexual environment, the development stages are ad hoc at best. What they have been exposed to, at which age, and the subsequent damage that may affect their lives on a long-term basis; is anyone’s guess.

In some cases, child abuse and sexual molestation are ingrained in families, and children grow into versions of their parents. They carry out or allow identical behaviour, generation after generation, without questioning their actions, the damage or consequences. Neither do they have a desire to do better and/or break the cycle. The Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is obligated to build the public’s awareness concerning child abuse in Guyana. Guyana’s laws are for the whole of Guyana far and wide, every region, every village, every household. They should be enforced by law authorities wherever they are breached. Children have rights; they are not sexual objects to be used at the whim of depraved adults. Adults should know better than to mar the childhood and development of children in such an irreparable way. In some cases, adults, whom children whole-heartedly trust with their lives, their well-being and upbringing, are the ones to adversely affect their childhood and development Some adults have a lot to learn about caring for children correctly. We are hopeful that this weekly column acts as an advocate for behavioural change in negative parenting and helps to alleviate child abuse in Guyana.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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