Youth 'legislators' attending the seventh National Youth Parliament at Gordon House, Monday (November 9) advocated policies to monitor the quality of music available to the society.
The Youth Parliament, which meets annually, forms part of activities organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD), to mark Youth Month (November), which is being observed this year, under the theme: ' Jamaican Youth, Embracing Support'.
More than 80 of the nation's young people, representing various institutions, organisations, and associations, converged on Gordon House to discuss and deliberate on several issues. These included: the impact of the lyrical content of music on young people; childcare and protection; and employment opportunities. In addition, a number of verbal notices of motions were also served.
Speaking on a motion on the impact of music on young people, 'Government' member, Chantal Cogle, noted that the lyrical content of some of songs were "really out of place."
"However all blame should not be placed on just music. What about the underlying social issues, such as lack of parental control, poverty, peer pressure. The very environment in which a child is being brought up, can have an impact on their lives," she added.
She also stated that it was time for parents to start taking responsibility for the type of music their children listen to at home. "We cannot depend on the Broadcasting Commission alone for censorship. We all must become proactive," she suggested.
In his contribution 'Opposition' member Paul McFarlane recommended that there be an urgent amendment to the Broadcasting and Radio Re-Diffusion Act, to include the music played at places of amusement.
"Therefore similar codes such as PG 16, 'A' rated and 'X' rated should also apply to places of amusement. Hence part of the licensing processes of the places of amusement under the Places of Amusement Act, would have to be amended to include mandatory ratings of these places or events," Mr. McFarlane said.
During the official opening, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, announced that the Youth Parliament will be held on a day that the House of Representatives meets in 2010. The House normally meets on Tuesdays and, sometimes, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
She encouraged the youths to pay special attention to where the music is headed; what the conflicts are; what the positives are; what the negative things are; and to make their voices heard. "In this Parliament, it is not about Gaza or Gully. In this parliament it is about positive youth activities," Miss Grange remarked.
Opposition Spokesperson on Youth, Miss Lisa Hanna, noted that the only way the country can give its youths the stimulus they deserve, is to give them the skills and opportunities to grow their way and create a quality of life where they do not have to rely on the lyrics of DJs to get to where they want to get in life.
"It is in your hands that Jamaica's productivity lies. It is in your hands that the future of Jamaica's economic opportunities lies," Ms. Hanna said.
Other activities to mark Youth Month include International Students' Day, on November 17. It will be marked with the staging of an advocacy conference at the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Centre, Montego Bay, St. James, with participants engaging in advocacy for students' rights.
There will also be the official opening of the Marcus Garvey Youth Information Centre in St. Ann, on November 27. This will mark the sixth such facility to be established across the island.
The spirit of volunteerism is expected to resonate on Saturday (December 5), with youth representatives participating in the cleaning up of the Royal Palm Reserve in Westmoreland. Youth month activities will end Sunday (December 6) with the presentation of the Prime Minister's Youth Awards for Excellence, at Emancipation Park, Kingston, which will also feature a concert.
