Reminders about family roles

By Ulimasao Fata 30 October 2017, 12:00AM

The home is the place for helping a child grow spiritually, mentally and psychologically. 

These were the words of Taulafo Lafai from Faleula while speaking to the Village Voice team.

And the issue of unsupervised youths is one that gets Taulafo really upset particularly children and youths wandering around the villages and in public areas.

“I have seen so many students roaming around the town area during school hours every day, and I have also seen so many students causing problems in public places.

“This is why violence between schools erupts because these students are just roaming around town and not in school during school hours.

“Another issue is that we have seen so many young kids selling stuff around the markets and then they are selling leis during night time when they are supposed to be at home.”

Taulafo said as a mother, that’s their main role all the time, to make sure their kids were with them and attended school every day.

“The mother’s role within their families is to make sure their kids are well behaved and well looked after.

“The mother is also there to know that their children are in safe and healthy environment at all times.”

Taulafo pointed out that in order to cope with these issues; the father also had to step up.

“The father is the head of the family and if he knows these things are happening, he needs to act right and do the right thing of addressing this matter with their children. 

“In certain cases like these also, it teaches the father not to drink beer around the house but to take responsibility in sharing and disciplining the kids to do things the right way.”

Taulafo Lafai said those issues must be first addressed in the family.

“Home is indeed the first classroom for any child, and if we take that seriously, then no doubt we will not be dealing with these disrespectful issues nowadays,” she added.

By Ulimasao Fata 30 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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