Bad roots will continuously yield bad fruits!!

by Dr Neals J Chitan

In the wake of 2 recent fatal chopping incidents in the “Historic Parish” of St Patrick, which claimed the lives of young men within a month, it is time to look at the roots of the problem!!

As Grenadians, we look at our neighbours to the north and south with their unenviable high homicide rates and declare that there is no need for announcing doom and gloom in Grenada. We pride on being one of the safest destinations in the Caribbean with our single-digit homicide count as if we are immunised from the homicidal mayhem that’s belting our region. But are we?

In 2021, along with a group of colleagues in the psychosocial arena, I was asked to assess and predict the psychosocial impact of Covid-19, relative to the possible effects on crime and violence on our people. In the report that ensued, I clearly predicted the possible upsurge we can see in crime and violence and made recommendations as to how we can go about mitigating that possibility. However, to the best of my knowledge, the recommendations that resulted from long pro-bono hours and the professional brain power investment dedicated to creating a Psychosocial Road Map for Grenada during and beyond Covid-19 by my colleagues and I, went unheeded and shelved. And now, “the chickens are coming home to roost.”

The undesirable behaviours we are seeing in Grenada and the region must have roots that grew them!! Chopping, gun violence, robberies, disrespectful confrontations, domestic violence and sexual-related crime, all have their roots deeply embedded in some form of dysfunctional nurturing. By the way, I am not denying that there are other mental health issues that can cause these anti-social behaviours, but as an experienced Behavioural Specialist who has worked with families, schools, communities, courts and jails, I must declare that over 90% of the incidences I have worked with locally, regionally and internationally have their inception in the primary and initial institution — the Home.

I have sat with and heard the heartbroken dual cries of mothers, whether that of the victim or perpetrator, as they mourn and grieve the loss of their sons. However, I have also listened to the sobbing admittance of their inability to raise that boy properly. I have heard the blame put on teachers, principals and schools for not “liking” their boys and “throwing them out,” and leaving them to their own devices and criminally inclined. However, the truth must be told that whether ready for parenting a planned child or a child who is the result of an accidental pregnancy, parents are the ones that set the moral compass and behavioural code of their children.

Surely, in an attempt to justify poor parenting, we have frequently heard the comment, “I made the child, but I didn’t make his mind.” However, if the truth be told, we to a large extent as parents, do make the minds of our children. We “make their minds” as they observe our words, our reactions, our respect/disrespect, our work ethics and our habits. And so, there is a dire need in our region for the teaching of good parenting skills and concepts, because if we get it right as parents and model respect and civil behaviour, the fruits will not fall far from the tree.

I am therefore excited to announce that as a Social and Behavioral Scientist, I have decided to walk the talk!! You see, I have been referred by principals, pastors, police and even magistrates to homes where parents and children need psychosocial support and intervention, which can cost these homes hundreds of dollars in professional fees. Unfortunately, most of the homes and parents who need it most are seriously financially challenged and unable to afford our help.

To offer the help needed, I have decided to host a parenting conference, “Poolside Inspiration” on Saturday, 24 June 2023, at 4.30 pm, at the Point Salines Hotel (former Fox Inn) that will equip, re-tool and support parents with concepts and strategies to better inspire, motivate and model good behaviour for their children.

In our attempt to encourage participation and discussion, we have decided to make it a cheap but life-changing experience in an exotic environment. If we are honest, we will agree that even the most financially challenged parent still sometimes brings a KFC dinner home for their children. We therefore have used this cost as our fee guide for that awesome experience. At $45 per seat and a drink, we hope to encourage as many as 100 parents to come out to learn and discuss how we can positively impact our upcoming generation, thus medicating the roots and getting better fruits.

Dr Neals Chitan is an International Social Skill Consultant and Crime Reduction Specialist who holds a PhD in Social and Behavioural Sciences and currently works in Grenada. He is the President/Founder of Motiv-8 For Change International a Toronto-based Social Skill Agency and can be reached from North America at 647-692-6330 and locally 473-416-8377 or at [email protected]