Some parents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed mixed views on the relevance of community parenting in today’s society.
While some say it helps instill discipline and curb social vices among children and youths, others argue that the practice is outdated and no longer welcome.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), several parents said many now take offense when others correct their children, making community parenting difficult.
However, some believe the practice, if done with sincerity and care, can contribute to raising a more responsible generation.
Mrs Monica Umeh, a mother of two, said community parenting played a vital role in her own upbringing and shaped her values as a child and young adult.
Umeh advised that when correcting other people’s children, it’s essential to do so with love and good intentions, without any form of bitterness.
Accorsing to her, I am a strong advocate of community parenting as long as it is done with love and good intentions.
”I believe no parent can single-handedly raise a child without the support of others.
“I don’t shun or insult other parents or school teachers when my child is corrected.
”I have seen some parents fight because their child was corrected, but I believe it is essential to handle such situations calmly.”
She also noted that when parents talk down on other parents in front of their children, it encourages the children to disregard corrections from others.
Corroborating Umeh’s view, Mr Temitope Awoyemi, a lecturer, said that community parenting was crucial and could not be over-emphasised.
He noted that community parenting helps society build strong morals and values in children and youths.
However, Mrs Joy Okezia, a businesswoman, said that given the recent developments in the country, correcting a child should be the sole responsibility of their parents.
Okezia said that she preferred to correct her children herself as she knows them better than anyone else.
She also noted that with the rising insecurity in the country, intervening to correct a child could pose a significant risk to the person.
Mrs Ijeoma Osita, a civil servant, also shared Okezia’s view, saying that a child’s behavior was shaped by their family upbringing.
She noted that if a child isn’t taught to love and respect others at home, an outsider would have little impact in correcting such a child.
She emphasised that parents should instill in their children the values of love and respect regardless of their status or background.
According to her, a child brought up with good values is less likely to misbehave.
She cited the Holy Bible, saying, ‘Train a child in the way they should go, and when they are old he will not depart from it.
