Queen Mother of Nakpaliq Nangodi Pognab Natiikundivi is advising parents to be actively involved in the lives and daily activities of their children.
Pognab Natiikundivi observed that most modern-day parents are engrossed with their careers and have delegated the responsibility of caring and ensuring the welfare of their children to others.
But this, she said, is dangerous and a contributory factor to vices like teenage pregnancy.
She noted that some of these people in whose care the children are usually left exploit them sexually and in other cases, introduce them to vices that endanger their welfare.
“Some children at 16 are still in JHS. And at 16 too is the beginning of desire growth. And the child begins to feel what you feel as a father and mother. But your closeness to the child, reduces the rate at which the child will feel or have the chances of tasting it. But if you sit and say you don’t have time. Let somebody come and carry the child, do you that person?”.
She added, “This thing has happened to some people. There’s a nurse living with you – a tenant. Then you ask the person to take your child to school. Now the person gets your child pregnant”.
She, thus, cautioned parents against leaving their children in the care of others.
“Today if you give birth to a child, tell yourself you have given birth to your master. You must serve the child until when the child can understand what’s good or not good for them. If you don’t get there, there is no need inviting the services of somebody in. You’re inviting the services of destruction”.
Pognab argued that despite the busy schedules, parents should make their children’s welfare a priority and make time to cater for their needs.
The Queen Mother said this while speaking on the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy in the country.
While acknowledging that curbing the menace is a challenge, she urged parents to not abandon their children who become pregnant but see them through motherhood.
