Letter of the Day | Our children deserve better

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing with reference to the recent article “Consensual sex between minors should not be a crime”, which represents a troubling direction for a society already grappling with moral confusion, emotional trauma, and developmental challenges among youth.

Children are not miniature adults. To repeatedly expose them legally, socially, and culturally to adult lifestyles, particularly sexual behaviours, is to rob them of innocence, protection, and the space to grow safely. When we speak of “consent” among minors, we dangerously blur the line between legal language and developmental reality. A child’s brain, emotions, and judgement are still forming. To pretend otherwise is both irresponsible and harmful.

Jamaica lost its way when we accepted the idea that children as young as 16 could engage in sexual activity with parental consent. That decision opened the door to further erosion of boundaries meant to protect our young people. Since then, we have seen increasing rates of sexual exploitation, teenage pregnancy, emotional distress, and confusion about identity, responsibility, and self-worth.

Many children are already struggling to manage sexual online content, which has been affecting their thinking, behaviour, and capacity to learn. Teachers and guidance counsellors across the island can attest to the impact: shortened attention spans, distorted views of relationships, increased sexualised behaviour, and declining academic focus. To suggest that children who are overwhelmed by such content are nonetheless capable of mature sexual consent is deeply contradictory.

Sexual behaviour has profound consequences on a child’s psychological, emotional, and social growth. Jamaica must choose protection over permissiveness, wisdom over expediency, and the long-term well-being of our children over the normalisation of harmful trends.

ROCHINA ANDERSON

Guidance Counsellor