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]
Excuse me. Any single women ASK the man if she can have his sperms to make a baby?? A woman has a responsibility for her own actions such as being on birth control, and NOT going OFF the pill without advising her male partner or getting his agreement. Too many Grenadian women just decide to make a baby without consulting the man. No man has an obligation, especially financially to a woman who has gone off BIRTH CONTROL and decided to make a baby on her own. Men who won’t wear a condom when the woman TELLS HIM that she is stopping taking birth control has an obligation because he knows he us running the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Grenada is the most sex obsessed on earth.
Stop blaming the men and look to the original PARENTS who beat their children and call it correction, or who do drugs or abuse alcohol. You have INSANE amounts of sexual abuse of children and even rape of 80 yr old women.
Mr. Chitan is very full of himself. Religion is certainly NOT the answer when you have sexually abusive Pastors. Especially the one who abused a child and managed to get off Grenada to the USA to avoid being charged.
I appreciate your comment about me, my friend! Just mean you don’t have the faintest clue of who I am. However blessings to you !
Why is Grenada selling out property to Trinidadians , no shade but if it continues Grenada is definitely going to become like Trinidad in terms of racism , crimes and more crimes , no matter how affluent they are .
Main cause – single parent families with no responsible father. This fact is the scourge of the Caribbean and it’s social ills among the young
You speak the truth for all to hear. Many men responsible for make babies then no support the mother or child as they off looking for other women.
This is surely needed and yes! Parents (the home) are where most of these bad habits are being developed. When you have children having children then you have a serious problem. The negative influence from the U.S. and horrible music coming from the region aren’t helping either. A lot needs to be done but unfortunately, we are just a little too late and those in power have done very little over the years to help prevent what is going on in the region with our youths.
I look at the UK where most people are upset with the stop and search policy and while it unfairly targets minorities, such things wouldn’t be happening if parents were paying attention to their children. They just have their little boys walking around with weapons and it’s just a vicious cycle.
What we need is some serious military style boot camps..