6 / 44
•
www.jamaica-gleaner.com• gleanerjamaica • jamaicagleaner •
FEATURE
THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
E6
Cling to good family values
P
RIME MINISTER Andrew Holness is
calling for Jamaicans to recommit to strong
and positive family values.
“I know that politicians sometimes shy away from
talking about family because some fear being judged,
but, let me tell you, family is at the heart of my politics.
I know there are issues surrounding family, but we
should never let them stop us saying loudly and
proudly that good, strong families matter. Family
values matter, family principles matter,” said Holness.
The prime minister believes that a part of the
reason many families are broken is due to the
gradual deviation from core values and traits.
“I, in fact, the entire Government have seen
where we have deviated from some of those
things that we once held close to us as a family.
We have replaced those good things with negative
things that break us up as a family,” he said.
The prime minister observed that some
behaviours and trends are not consistent with the
strong value system that successive
administrations of government have always
sought to promote.
“In fact, we do not pray together anymore. We
are too hardened as a society and we need to
change that,” the prime minister added.
Prime Minister Holness is of the view that many of
the cases of domestic-related violence that have
dominated public discourse in recent times could be
avoided if the Jamaican society actively promoted and
encouraged families embracing good values and traits.
He offered that strong families were a threat to
gangs and their survival.
“The family with its values, loyalties and love is
too great a rival. So, if as a people we really want to
face down crime and violence and bury the gangs,
then let’s see how we can improve our family lives
and improve how our families function.”
Holness noted that Jamaica’s survival will depend
on the strength and influence of the family to keep
the society orderly and maintain a culture of thrift.
“As prime minister, I am very uncomfortable
when I see us break away from tested norms,”
declared Holness.
... Holness asks parents to
invest in their children’s morality