"Families
Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals"
Because many of us unfortunately
have been reared through these times where the importance of family and all
that it teaches has diminished greatly, we all look through distorted lens with
regards to matters of family. Once upon a time, our country and people where
looked up upon by outsiders/tourists for various reasons; social culture and
agriculture, but mainly resilience. We once were a people of ideals and values
placed throughout our communities with presence of our culture.
Now
the culture and presence of our ancestors have all been warped. We've incorporated
every other culture with ours to suit the needs of a vastly changing
demographic within our territory and as a result, we've lost our identity.
Like
any other community around the world, the members of those communities become
one with each other to help their well beings. The ‘family’ created within these
communities are now who are rearing the next generations to come, and while
they are readily available to do so, they are also unqualified.
For this reason and so many more it is time
for us to make the presence of the families more important within our
communities rather than gangs, corners, or communities that pride themselves in
taking in youths who are ignorant to their intentions. It is for these reasons
and more that our territory must make a more profound effort to encourage our
young men and women to build families and homes instead of only facilitating
events where those from all demographics can enjoy themselves and indulge in
different vices which contribute to our small, violent and stagnant community.
And it is certainly for the promise of hope in our futures and those of our
children that we change the ideals being kept at the helms of society; money,
power and violence is not the only way to procure or sustain a fulfilling life.
On
this world family day U.S Virgin Islanders I propose we all take the time out
not only to enjoy the company of our loved ones, but to appreciate what we can
learn from them to help others less fortunate; those who don’t have a support
system or a true family. Take the things that you’ve learned and share them
with others, whether or not you know of their family structure. The idea is to
promote the ideals and norms that can bring our communities back to being the
structure that is was instead of the street family that it has become.
