Page 64 - Disrupting the Transmission of Violence

DISCUSSION

DISCUSSION

The main objective of the CSJP III Parenting Programme was to develop the capacity
of parents to engage in effective parenting strategies without using coercion. The

programme sought to:
• assist parents in reducing the incidence of corporal punishment being used to

effect behaviour change.
• promote positive communication between parents and children

• help parents establish and teach family values and rules that will assist with
improved behaviours among the children.

The programme further sought to train parents in conflict resolution techniques so that they

may correct attitudes and help children to manage conflict as a way to stem the rise of
violence in their homes and communities. Finally, the training was to improve parental

involvement in the lives of their children to intentionally reduce antisocial behaviours.

Leo-Rhynie (1993) posits that for many families in Jamaica it is a reality that parents who
use harsh punishments, and use inconsistency to parent their children, have children who

are not only afraid to communicate with them, but also become defiant and at times,
difficult to manage and uncooperative. Scott et al., (2012), also indicated that negative

parenting styles are found to be clearly associated with antisocial behaviours among
children. Ineffective parental practices such as lack of involvement in their children’s lives,

and negative parenting practices can reflect a deficit in the parenting, although the
parents may believe that these practices are important. Over and over in conversations

with parents, it is evident that parents are unable to make the link between ineffective
practices on their part and poor behaviours displayed by their children. As a result, they

continue to use the same negative methods to engage their children, believing that when
the children do not comply they are just being rude. It is therefore important for parents to

develop better skills in communicating with and listening to their children if they are going
to be effective in their parenting roles.

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