The Tribune

MINISTER of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin last week warned 10th and 11th grade students from public and private secondary schools not look anywhere else but to themselves for affirmation.

“When you put your self-esteem in other people’s hands, you are asking for trouble as it is much easier for others to take advantage of you when you look to them for affirmation,” Mrs Griffin said.

Addressing the opening session of the Child Protection Month ‘2015 Promises to Kids Seminar’ on Thursday at Evangelistic Temple, Minister Griffin told the students that they are at the age when they must take some responsibility for themselves – particularly when it comes to self-esteem.

Organised by the National Child Protection Council, the seminar was designed to increase the awareness of grades 10 and 11 students of the many challenges teenagers face, including low self-esteem, abuse, bullying, predatory behaviours by adults and the consequences of making poor choices.

“We live in a time when it is increasingly important that we teach our children about the value of their bodies, their reputations and the fact that the consequences of poor choices made during their teenage years will very likely follow them into adulthood,” Mrs Griffin said.

“As teenagers I am sure that many of you think that you have it all figured out and that adults are too old to understand modern ways. You think we do not understand the challenges of being a teenager and the frustration of being told what is acceptable behaviour (but) do not forget that adults were once teenagers as well and that it is our experiences and concerns that drive us to help you avoid many of the mistakes that some of us made and now wish we could undo.”

She told the students that one of the functions of being a responsible adult is to give guidance to young persons.

“As grown as many of you believe you are, we must still caution you to protect yourselves from those who wish you harm – harm that you may not even recognise until it’s too late. Being responsible adults means providing you with the guidance that will assist you in avoiding making harmful mistakes that can sometimes remain with you the rest of your lives.

“I can guarantee you that a number of you who believe grownups are being hard on you, will find yourselves in the same role when you have your own children or are attempting to provide guidance to your teenage nieces and nephews.”

Mrs Griffin said there was a time when Bahamians took it for granted that their children were safe from sexual predators once they stayed away from strangers on the streets or men lurking near the bushes in areas where children take shortcuts to and from school. Today’s reality, Mrs Griffin said, is so much more.

“The reality is that in addition to these persons, the sexual predator may be found in our schools, our churches and yes, even our own families and homes.”

She added: “It’s not an easy task because they (sexual predators) are unlikely to look scary, but may often be well-dressed, charming, friendly and even funny – all of the things that will endear you to them and cause you to let your guards down. Once you do that, advantage is taken of you.”

Minister Griffin gave the students four paths to choose from in order to “properly navigate your teenage years into adulthood”.

“The first is to build your confidence/self-esteem by knowing that you are indeed respectfully and wonderfully made because you were made in the image of God. Accept yourselves as you are no matter how your hair, nose, lip and skin colour may look. Never put your self-esteem into someone else’s hands because when you do that, you are asking for trouble. Do not depend upon what others think of you. It is easy for others to take advantage of us when we don’t like ourselves and we look to them for affirmation.”

The seminar was one of the many activities scheduled to commemorate Child Protection Month and was facilitated by Dr Novia Carter, senior school psychologist with the Ministry of Education and the deputy chairperson of the National Child Protection Council, on behalf of the NCPC.