The effects of bad parenting are profound and manyfold. Research shows that the role of parents in shaping the future of their children is undeniably crucial. If the parenting style the adult chooses is detrimental to the child’s development, the child may suffer lifelong implications.
As the primary architects of a child’s early experiences, parents wield immense influence over their children’s development and well-being.
Of all the adults in a child’s life, parents are the most important. From birth through the end of high school and beyond, our parents influence our development. However, some children can also suffer due to bad parenting because it inflicts harm and lasting damage on them.
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin is calling for an enactment of a law that will withhold salaries of irresponsible parents. The withheld salaries, he suggested, should be used to take care of children they have fathered, but have refused to take care of.
Speaking at the 2024 Ohum Kan Festival durbar in Kyebi recently, Okyenhene argued that when such a law is enacted, it will compel parents to be responsible towards their wards and also help in reducing the menace of streetism in the country.
Okyenhene called on parents to be responsible and ensure the welfare and safety of their children in order to create a safer and peaceful community. He added that young children who have been left to their fate on the streets may become social misfits and return one day to torment the society that refused to care for them.
The Chronicle finds this law needful and even more urgent. It is still difficult to phantom why a parent will give birth and deliberately decide not to take care of their children.
Okyenhene’s proposal to enact a law that withholds salaries of irresponsible parents is a bold and necessary step towards ensuring the welfare of children and addressing the growing issue of streetism in Ghana.
Such a law, if enacted, would compel parents to take their duties seriously, providing much-needed care and support for their children, and ultimately contributing to a safer and more peaceful society. These children, without proper care and guidance, often fall prey to criminal vices such as drug abuse, prostitution and armed robbery among others. This situation not only threatens their future but also poses a risk to society at large.
He rightly pointed out that children left to fend for themselves on the streets are at risk of becoming a social menace, potentially turning against the very society that failed them.
Bad parenting is characterised by behaviours that harm a child’s development and well-being, it includes failing to monitor the child’s behaviour, not recognising deviant behaviour and erratic or excessive punishment. It also involves the parents prioritising their personal interests over the child’s best interests.
Bad parenting can cause deep-rooted issues, but it’s never too late to start the healing process now. Though it takes a lot of soul-searching and help, you can certainly find the strength to grow from your past trials.
In advocating for parental responsibility, The Chronicle suggests the naming and shaming of those parents who engage in these unethical practices. It is essential that we hold individuals accountable for their actions.
