The surge in violent crimes among youth demands urgent short-term action, according to President of the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC), Caleb Brathwaite, including mandating youth group involvement.
With over half of the island’s prison population reportedly under 35, Brathwaite is calling for measures to instil discipline and community values in young people.
He pointed to mandatory participation in youth groups like the Cadet Corps and Girl Guides as a vital step, emphasising that these organisations foster discipline and a sense of service, which are critical in shaping positive values.
His remarks come in light of a recent government report revealing a surge in violent crimes, many committed by individuals as young as 11 to 15. The report further highlighted that young males between 21 and 35 account for over 50 per cent of the island’s prison population.
“I find these numbers deeply concerning, and they should be concerning for all of Barbados,” Brathwaite said. “We need to understand why we’re seeing such an increase now and not years ago.”
The BYDC president attributed this spike in youth crime to a lack of discipline and essential principles that were once instilled by parents from an early age. He said: “By just looking at it, you can see there’s been a loss of values and morals in Barbados. We need to rekindle those values and get back on track.”
Echoing a widespread belief, Brathwaite suggested that much of the violence stems from a perceived sense of “disrespect”.
“Sometimes, when you talk to them, it’s about ideas and morals. It’s things like ‘that man looked at me too hard’,” he said.
Brathwaite added: “With children raising children, many values aren’t being passed down. Parents are also allowing children to make decisions that should be guided. There was once a clear path, and now it’s become a choice. We need to reconnect with the values of Barbados’ past to secure a future.”
Brathwaite commended government initiatives such as the Peace Programme and Project Dawn which aim to create long-term change, but advocated for immediate measures as well.
“There needs to be a stronger focus on short-term actions,” he stressed, particularly where youth organisations are concerned.
Noting a decline in membership among youth groups, Brathwaite said: “Youth organisations are struggling due to a lack of human resources. Young people aren’t joining like they used to.”
“Making participation in youth organisations mandatory could be an effective short-term measure. Groups like the Cadet Corps and Girl Guides, which teach discipline and service, are struggling due to low enrolment.”
Drawing comparisons with other Caribbean nations, Brathwaite pointed out approaches used in the region.
“These criminal trends aren’t unique to Barbados; they’re seen throughout the Caribbean. In Antigua and Barbuda, for example, the Prime Minister has personally engaged those involved in criminal activities to work on solutions,” he said, proposing similar engagements nationally.
Brathwaite also recommended creating more job opportunities and appealing programmes to keep youth engaged, noting that today’s generation has different interests than those of the past.
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