Parental Negligence: The Cause of Increasing Menace to Society -By Zainab Oba

We already know that we are no one without our family, the reason why blood is thicker than water. Family comes first! But reverse is the case in our society, most parent nowadays fail in this regard. They neglect their children/wards to the “devouring jaws of the street “.

Who are the devouring jaws? They are the unscrupulous elements who influence offsprings negatively and teach those acts parent never sit them up to warn against. They are waiting for every possible avenue of their negligence to tame these children. They can be their friends, too.

Parental negligence are mostly caused by over ambitious, love of money of the parent. Divorce can also be a factor. Some parents can’t boldly claim to know the kind of company their children keep.

Society takes a huge share in parental negligence. The effects in these last few years has increased at a rate that is positively dizzy. This is evident in the countless occasion of the social ills we are facing, ranging from raping, arm robbery, banditry, kidnapping to a whole lot of other social vices.

Confronted with unlimited public incursion caused by this menace, everything that used to signify reverence has become less important. The possible social display of any child shows how much resources, moral his or her parent imbibe in them.

Moreover, fathers seems to believe it’s just the duty of the mother to be close to their children, that is wrong perception. Every parent must surround their offsprings with an aura of love and support.

Finally, parents are enjoined to display highest level of responsibility in their children’s upbringing. This is important in the bid to prepare children to be responsible citizens and become immune to “devouring jaws” who are ready to teach children that which parents refuse to enlighten them about.

Oba Zainab Opeyemi
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto