Good parenting will groom harmonious families

A survey commissioned by the government shows that about 247,000 families countrywide are embroiled in different types of conflicts that risk breaking them up. They also put the future of the young generation at risk if not nipped in the bud. The findings were released last Thursday, during the closing of the national month-long Family Campaign, in Burera district. Alcohol abuse and fights over wealth are among the highest cause of conflicts in families. The findings reveal a bigger issue of parenting challenges in society. It shows that more needs to be done to instill values in families that encourage harmony and responsible living. Good family values forge an environment of solid and permanent relationships to last a life-time.The current problems point to a history of poor parenting, resulting into the current trend of family problems. Cultivating family values is critical in creating harmony within families. Families thrive when heads create the right environment and provide moral guidance to members and instill in them values of honesty and integrity. Leaders at all levels should intensify the campaign to implement performance contracts (Imihigo) at the family level. These are targets set by each family to achieve specific goals including education, medical insurance and nutritional habits of family members, within a given period of time. They should also include a target on grooming children with values that will see them become responsible adults and citizens of integrity in future. The Family is the basic unit of society and the most important place where people learn to abide by the rules and differentiate right from wrong. In a loving and caring home environment, people quickly learn the skills of socialising and getting along amicably with others in society.