More violent deaths shock our community.

What is the problem? Who is to blame? People blame the police. People complain because the police have been putting up roadblocks and stopping people to check for expired drivers’ licenses. It’s true that they’ve been using their man-power to stop law-abiding citizens driving to and from work, but they are not the only ones who are to blame.

People blame guns. But we all know that guns are not the only things that screwed up people use to kill others.

I will be treading sacred “cultural” ground here, but it has to be done. People need to stop having children that they cannot take care of. And if they have children, they need to be there to teach them right from wrong. They need to teach their children what’s really important in life. It is hard work.

Having a child should be a life-changing experience. If a person chooses to impregnate someone or become pregnant by someone, he or she needs to realize that his or her life will never be the same.

The responsibility for the precious and fragile life of another human being will last for at least 18 years. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Parenting is a tough job. It’s the toughest job in the world, but it is the most important job in the world. Too many people don’t take parenting seriously enough and that’s the root cause of so much crime. If someone is not financially or emotionally ready for the most important job in the world, he or she should not be allowed to take it.

And the pay sucks, too. Unless of course one places value on the incredible gift that a child brings and takes the time to enjoy the wonders of this beautiful world with the child.

As far as working many jobs to support ones’ children is concerned, kids need parenting more than they need “things”. The child does not need another toy to keep him or her busy or quiet. The child does not need another cute little dress. The child needs almost constant attention from his or her parents. For many, many years.

Someone screwing up the job of parenting does not only potentially screw up the life of his or her child. Other lives will be affected by the product of improper parenting. Too often, tragically.

Terry Chretien

St. Croix