Articles

Stakeholders Roles in Responsible Parenting

• 08 May 2022
• Peter Adeleye
• Abuja, Nigeria

Without any controversy, parent is the primary stakeholder when it comes to child rearing. Parents bear great responsibility in raising their children, in nurturing them, and in being the voice and advocate for their child’s training and education. However, government, schools, religious centres, private organizations and society in general equally have roles to play in child’s upbringing; parenting is the process of encouraging and nurturing a child's physical, social, economic, and spiritual well-being. At one point or the other, each stakeholder must always respond to their responsibilities.

A breakdown in family values will disrupt the peace, law and order of a society while governance failure will definitely affect homes and society. Parents should demonstrate to their children that they are valued at home by providing them increasing degrees of responsibility, motivating them to volunteer in their schools, communities, and anywhere else they are needed.

They should spend quality time with their children; this will not only develop the bond between parents and children, but it will also establish trust. Parents should also be responsible for promoting positive behaviours in order to reduce negative ones. It is the responsibility of parents to impart positive values in their children that will enable them to grow into honest, loving, and progressive individuals. The need of consistent discipline in a youngster should not be overlooked.

Religious institutions should use their varied programs and activities to build families, promote parenting principles, and provide support to guarantee that good behavior is imprinted in every kid. Schools, particularly teachers, should interact effectively with students, ensuring that they create emotional security for their students and enforcing gentle discipline. The government should enact legislation to improve the wellbeing of children in schools and communities, as well as guarantee that the authorities in charge of child protection are doing their responsibilities efficiently.

Non-governmental groups should create programs that are customized to the growth and development of children. What happened to school-based Boy Scout and Girl Guide clubs?

In addition to the known roles of these stakeholders, individuals, leaders, educators, teachers, and parents must be ready to show and lead by positive examples. What eroded the developmental processes and growth of children especially in Nigeria is lack of good role models. Leaders say a thing and act otherwise. Equally, we must not miss any of these processes, therefore, education, training and orientation of children, it is very important and needed to avert Chrisland School and Dowen College experiences.

Peter Adeleye is of the African Centre for Citizens Orientation