On Monday morning, Minister for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity Michael Falzon launched the second phase of the Positive Parenting Campaign.

The first phase was the establishment of a taskforce of professionals who put together a Strategic National Policy for the Positive Upbringing of children. The first phase focused more on parents with younger children, and the difficulties some parents faced whilst bringing up a young child.

The second phase focuses on positive upbringing between parents and their adolescent children.

"Every family is different, coming from different social, religious and cultural backgrounds, and problems can be diverse, but there are certain issues which are similar," explained the chairperson of Positive Parenting task Force, Ruth Sciberras. "Many parents cannot understand why their teenagers are rebelling, are going against family norms and experimenting."

She highlighted that whilst parents find it hard to understand their adolescents, their children are facing moments of difficulties as they try to find their way and understand the world. "They have questions about their sexuality, beliefs, and also can experience peer pressure from peers, other adults and also from the media. All this can affect the adolescents' mental and physical health."

The Ministry has also launched a pilot project perinatal team at Mater Dei Hospital, which will include screening of parents. "The parents will have a choice to take part in the screening, where their physical and mental health, along with their wellbeing, will be analysed. This is to help the parents and provide them the necessary support they might need." 250 parents will be taking part in the task force pilot project and it will be analyzed before it spreading out on a national level.

Minister Falzon highlighted that parents wish to have a better relationship with their children. "It is a stressful life we live; our lives are much faster. When our children go through the adolescence stage, it can be a stressful period as they move into a new phase of their lives."

He said that the Ministry wishes not only to provide advice, but also give clearer guidelines to help parents and adolescents during this period. "The role of the parent and that of the adolescent are complimentary; they are facing different stresses but we also need to grow together and as individuals." The campaign will highlight that individuals must have stronger and deeper relationships with their parents.

Not an insult: Falzon's opinion on PM's announcement of amnesty

Fielding questions by journalists, Falzon was asked whether he agrees with the Prime Minister to provide an amnesty to those who were fined for breaching COVID-19 regulations. "I am following the discussion, and I believe we need to follow the discussion step by step." When asked whether he believes that providing an amnesty is an insult to those health care workers who spent weeks locked up in elderly homes, he said: "It is not an insult at all. We have shown maturity in the past three months, and shown how we stayed together and how our solidarity has grown as a people. I am convinced that our solidarity is not just shown in such extraordinary cases, but will also be seen later on. We will continue to strengthen our country."