We must take more responsibility for youth

IT is said that it takes a whole community to rear a child. In the light of trends in children’s behaviour and lifestyles in recent times, the time has come when the community must take its responsibilities seriously. A city centre is no place for 13-year-olds at 10.30pm. In fact in the light of sad experience it is probably the worst possible place to be.

On a nightly basis now we see droves of very young children, sad lost souls, drifting around doing irreversible damage to their own health, their own life prospects, their own career prospects not to mention the havoc inflicted on innocent members of the adult community. In some suburban areas elderly citizens are being terrorised in their own homes by gangs, many of them girls as young as 13. Its time to call a halt.

A society that allows this to continue is derelict in its duty to its children. Leaving the total responsibility to the Gardaí is unfair.

Parents must be alerted to their primary responsibility and be morally supported in the tough task of rearing children in modern conditions. This is a daunting challenge but it is a challenge that this generation will shirk at its peril. It will take the wisdom and integrated effort on the part of many in key positions to halt this ugly trend and make our city a safe place for our children now and into the future. If the will is there, a way can be found.

Alderman Máirín Quill,

1, Wellesley Terrace,

Wellington Road,

Cork.