Expert blames parents for moral decadence

Mr Joseph Agha, an academic expert, says poor parenting is a critical factor responsible for moral decadence as is being manifested in schools and in the society presently.

Agha, the owner of Merry Berry Academy, Jikwoyi, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that most parents had failed in providing their children with moral support and guidance needed for their proper growth and development.

According to him, parents should assume their responsibilities for raising morally-sound children.

Agha said that some parents push their responsibilities to schools, believing that the teacher would perform miracles.

According to him, there is no school compared to a decent home, and no teacher equal to a factual parent, no parent should bring a child into the world if they are not ready to take care of their responsibilities.

“I strongly believe in the efficacy of corporal punishment in putting children straight.

“If you spare the rod, you spoil the child. Children should be disciplined. Corporal punishment is allowed in schools. The law recognises it.

“However, there are people to administer that; either the principal or the vice principal.

“We recognise such action. That is the reason the law says that there are people that should do that. It is not for everybody.

“If we generally abandon the rod, what is happening now will be a child’s play to what will happen in the future,” he said.

The expert urged parents on the need to always educate their children on early sexuality to enable them know and report when they were being molested.

He said that children would not approach their parents to discuss issues bothering them unless the parents create time for them and make them their best friends and confidants.

“It is high time parents returned to teaching their children values such as dignity and integrity and showing them the difference between right from wrong.

“The value system in recent times has shifted from hard work and integrity to inordinate pursuit of money.

“Parents should try and monitor their children, know what their children watch and limit their level of access to video and online content.”