The recent tragic death of a lovely baby, and the trauma her very young parents are going through, should make us reflect and not point fingers, accuse and condemn. 

May this tragic episode enlighten our teenagers not to indulge in self-gratification and pleasure, but spend their youth engaged in useful, profitable and healthy practices such as sports, outings, studies and voluntary work, rather than in risky sexual activity. Teenage years are simply not the right time for the great responsibility of parenthood and of raising a tiny creature that needs constant care and attention. 

While sharing the grief of the young parents and their families, we pray to God to help them find peace in this most difficult time in their lives, as well as guidance to rebuild their future. 

Our ever-growing permissive society is guilty of this tragedy and most family troubles, and must be held responsible. Society is misleading our young people, making them believe that they are their own masters, that they can handle themselves better than anyone else can, that they know what’s best for them and have every right to act as they wish. Anyone offering advice is labelled as old-fashioned and interfering.

Nowadays emphasis is put on rights, but seldom, if at any time, on duties and responsibilities that we all shoulder every day. Even very young children are being given the impression that they can do what they like and that parents, guardians or teachers have no right to correct them. 

Besides, when society puts aside God’s loving guidelines, which we wrongly label as commands, disorder reigns supreme! As unfortunately we are witnessing with each passing day!

Maria Grima

ATTARD