Child rights advocate Dr. Marsha Hinds-Myrie has strongly opposed a proposal by acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC to penalize parents for their children’s misconduct, arguing that Barbados’ social support system is “completely broken.” Dr. Hinds-Myrie emphasized that policymakers must urgently address the lack of early intervention and assistance for struggling families, rather than resorting to punitive measures. She highlighted that while holding parents accountable may be justified in countries with robust support systems, such as the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, Barbados lacks the necessary infrastructure to provide adequate help to families in need.
Dr. Hinds-Myrie questioned the feasibility of criminalizing parents when there are no accessible resources or programs to address behavioral issues in children. She pointed out the absence of structured interventions, such as anger management programs or community outreach initiatives, which are critical for supporting families. “If I have a child in Barbados who is eight years old and exhibits problematic behavior, where do I take that child?” she asked. “We do not have any of that in Barbados.”
The advocate also criticized the acting DPP for proposing punitive measures despite being aware of the systemic gaps. She argued that parents cannot be held accountable when the social safety net is riddled with deficiencies. Dr. Hinds-Myrie linked current parenting struggles to historical failures in addressing children’s behavioral needs, recalling her teaching experience at the Parkinson School in the early 2000s. She noted that many of her former students, who had unresolved behavioral issues, are now parents themselves and face challenges in raising their children.
Dr. Hinds-Myrie stressed the need for Barbados to focus on cultivating parenting skills and implementing structured programs to replace outdated practices like corporal punishment. “We do not put a real significant focus on cultivating parenting skills in Barbados,” she said. “This is part of my discomfort with just saying punish the parents.”