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Parenting in Trinidad and Tobago -
Vision 20/20 and beyond
There has been much talk about vision 20/20 and reaching
developed nation status. But what would that mean to parents? You
are invited to share with us your vision of how live could be for
parents and families in our nation in the year 2020. Here are some
ideas to stir your imagination:
Parents will be recognized and respected as an important sector
of society. They will be given every amenity to make their work
successful – the best facilities possible, manpower and equipment.
Research will be carried out on what works and why certain things
don’t work to constantly keep improving the quality of parenting and
childcare.
Parents, and those involved in caring for children, will be given
on-going training to upgrade their skills and understanding of their
purpose.
When a couple decides they want to have a child, or when they
become pregnant, they will counseled, trained for parenting, and
allocated support persons who will monitor the pregnancy, delivery
and be there as a support for as long as needed.
At every critical stage in the child’s development, education and
support services will be provided to make parents aware of what
their role is, what to expect and how to handle challenges. These
support systems will be available in every community at schools,
workplaces, and clinics – wherever parents are.
Labour laws will be amended to address family issues such as:
flexible working hours, job sharing, time off for school visits,
doctors visits and realistic maternity and paternity leave.
Employers will be required to provide breastfeeding facilities,
daycare and play/study spaces for staff children.
Parents will be consulted at the highest level on issues that
affect them. There will be parent representatives at the national
planning level, planning housing developments, city centres,
education, law, architecture, every area of human endeavor and
development will have the parent or family perspective included.
There will be a Ministry for Family Development with
family-oriented policies, laws and systems to support the optimum
development of citizens who are well-rounded, balanced and
holistically healthy.
There will be the determination, on the part of every adult that:
no child must remain at risk because every child is my child. We are
all family.
Share your vision for parenting in T&T 20/20 and beyond. send
your ideas, no matter how short to info@ttips.org and we will post it on the site. |
