CRIME FROM THE CRADLE I Grew up in a small town in SWA (NAM) Started school in 1957 and during the subsequent years I did not know of a single case of murder, however, the first case I came across was in 1973 and it took place on the police station stairway. Another case shortly after that was an foreign fisherman murdered in the street. Over the years some people died from sickness, disease or motor vehicle accidents. The first major death I had actually become aware of was a standard 5 scholar killed in a motor vehicle that had rolled.
A scholar received six-of-the-best for stealing sweets out of a candy shop. Hell this place was rife with crime. The point here is that there was a time in the history where crime was not an issue in a small town with a unique ambience. Why? The answer is the application of discipline by parents.
2 brothers return home late after a school sporting event. Prior to attending school that day their father instructed them to clean the yard and other tasks. By the time they had reached their homes their father was waiting with an Automobile fan belt. I will not go into the bloody details but being late had taken up top position on their priority list. The screams were heard 2 blocks away. I arrived late at school due to falling from a bicycle and received 3 of the best for being late. Some lucky children do not even come to school.
On a school cadet training field a matric scholar is shoved around by some disgruntled teacher. The teacher receives a slap around the ear and the matric scholar is expelled the next day. The father of the scholar threatened to beat up the teacher too. (1968) Dad was warned by the cops to keep his distance. How on earth can a teacher be beaten up by a scholar? During the years from sub A to my final year I had never heard of a single rape. During 2007, 2 high school girls are raped by 4 of their class mates in a mall. Telephone photos were taken but the rapists got off Scot free. Average age 16.
Over the years there has been a tendency of children and young adults to invest in crime, or the lack of it. Parents are now the indicator as to how crime is payable and how it is done.
Are parents qualified to discipline their own children.?
A roudy standard 2 pupil gets 2 of the best on his backside. The teacher, feeling rather guilty takes him home and explains to his mother why she hit the child with a 12 inch wooden ruler. The mother lays a charge of assault against the teacher. The case was later withdrawn, probably due to the boy’s uncontrolled behaviour in class. Teachers are not paid to discipline children , that is the duty of the parents. (1963)
Today: How many scholars go to school armed with firearms, sharp instruments and knives with the sole purpose of using these articles against other scholars. How many scholars have died, or were severely injured. Ultimately, who is controlling the family unit? Ill disciplined children or ill-disciplined parents?
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