It was last year since the number of children or underage individuals who are involved to criminal actions and cases have gone increasing drastically. The incidence have gotten the interest of the public and also the law makers where they thought of lowering the age of criminal liability in the Philippines; but a number of the country’s population was dismayed and conveyed that lowering the age of criminal liability is not the solution to the problem, instead, they thought that parents should just be attentive to their children and be more effective in their parenting skills.
During a seminar at the University of the Cordilleras’ grade school and high school departments through their Student Development Center (SDC) held last October 15, 2011, the faculty, the students and the parents of the students in the said academe believed that there is no alternative to an effective parenting as a way to keep away the youth from harm and from executing criminal actions. The administration of the university also noted that the most effective way of keeping the youth from these and to establish a positive behavior to the minors is “Being a Friend to Your Children.”
Grace Canave, the resource person of the said event and an ethics professor at the said university expounded that “being a friend to your children” is a way of being a more consultant parent. With this, a parent should give more time and consideration on listening to their children and also, considering their children’s opinions. She also said that giving an immediate physical punishment to the child whenever the child committed a mistake is a no-no.
The principal of the University of the Cordilleras’ grade school and high school Gladys S. Sibayan also commented that parents should not forget the emotional needs of their children while they are busy on prioritizing their responsibility to their children in giving them financial support. The comment was supported by Professor Canave saying that the parents’ responsibilities of providing their children financial and emotional supports should be balanced well.
Professor Canave also shared to the parents that a mother and a father should know how, where and when to dwell with their children’s issues. Parents should explain to their children that dwelling to their issues has a right timing and a right place; that in order to solve the issue in a right manner; their parents need to cool down first from a work related strain.
She also explained to the parents who attended the seminar that parents, especially the paternal ones should not use their authority to scare their children and follow their rules. Being an authoritarian parent sets a frightening atmosphere to their children. Parents should rather explain to their children why there are rules instead of scaring them and not giving them the chance to explain themselves.
Parents should always communicate with their children and vice versa in order to establish an atmosphere of trusting between the two individuals.
The resource person also used the recent tragedy in Baguio City where a pupil from Baguio Elementary School was involved as an example. She explained that it happened because the child lacked an adult supervision and became the reason of the child’s misbehavior.
The professor also explained that parents should also accept and understand the reality that even if they have set a trusting atmosphere with their children, the outside environment is also a factor to their children’s social well-being. She explained that the environment of the children outside their homes should also be a conducive place for them to be responsible, well-disciplined and good individuals.
Source: UC Grade School and High School Forum says “friendly” parenting keeps children safe
