Thread

Jamaica has had a long standing problem with violence which we inherited from the days of slavery.

Many of our institutions have perpetuated violence inclusive of our education system, our domestic practices and some of our disciplinary beliefs.

Over a decade ago when a then younger Andrew Holness insisted on removing corporal punishment from schools, it met significant push back from sectors of society with proverbial lines such as "spare the rod and spoil the child."

However, he relentlessly pushed to have this method of discipline abolished because it is something that as parents we both believe is more hurtful than helpful to any child.

We need to stop seeing acts of violence in a partisan or a gender specific way so we can address the root of the problem which continues to affect every class, race, gender, political or sexual orientation. WE HAVE A NATIONAL VIOLENCE PROBLEM WHICH REQUIRES A NON VIOLENT SOLUTION