Respect parents, family values

OUR page 3 lead story yesterday is a very serious case of filial dishonour and the greater concern is that this is quite possibly not an isolated case.
An adult son comes home drunk, hurls abusive threats and proceeds to damage the family home.
The incident became public knowledge when it was brought before a Port Moresby court.
Police prosecution told the court that the young man was raised by a dedicated and humble police officer who had invested a lot of the family’s finances on the son’s education.
A one-year custodial sentence was recommended for the violence against his family and the damages to state property but was suspended.
The accused was placed on a good behaviour bond instead, but with stern warnings to refrain from causing further trouble.
Clearly, the young man has breached a sacred relationship and his offence is considered very serious not only in modern law but also in the PNG cultural context and Christian biblical law.
People who dishonour parents in such manner only invite curses upon themselves as pointed out by the presiding magistrate.
He raised concern about the extent of alcohol abuse going “another level” in the country.
Nothing is known about the circumstances behind the story and what had driven the young man to excessive drinking and violence but the presiding magistrate has castigated him, calling him a parasite with “no importance”.
He also told the accused that no rational person would have done what he had to their own parents.
That is pretty strong language but the magistrate’s anger is understandable.
It would seem ironical and unfortunate that the offender was the son of a police officer whom the prosecution described as humble and disciplined.
Given the rate of crime by juveniles and young adults in communities, we can safely say that there is a breakdown in the family structure.
Evidently, those that enforce discipline and order in the public are not immune from that either.
They are human after all.
Mothers and fathers especially, are apparently losing their grip on authority to instil discipline and good sense in their family homes.
Parenting today, especially in urban areas, is a lot more challenging than it was only a few years ago because of the multiplied challenges faced.
Children appear to be a lot more knowledgeable, assertive and aggressive.
The media in all its forms has a part to play in this.
Children and growing adults have access to knowledge in literature and motion pictures, even ideologies mainly through social media platforms that may question long held values about the sanctity of the family and relationships.
Some among us no longer care that certain boundaries laid down by age-old traditional wisdom and Christian belief are never to be crossed under any circumstance.
Even in a rapidly changing world of progressive ideas, respect for parents and family are paramount to a community and a nation’s harmonious existence.
Let’s not fall too quickly for anything that challenges such values.
Already around the world, the traditional notion of parenting of father and mother raising biological or adopted children, is being challenged with new ideas of single parenting denying the need for a second party, particularly a father.
Fathers in our communities should not shirk their responsibility but continue to assert their place in families – and be given their due respect and honour.