Revolutionary Leader, Ronald Webster, says Anguilla is in a superior economic position when compared with other Caribbean territories, but notes that like the pattern of the world, the island is rapidly changing.

Mr. Ronald Webster

“Our God-given good habits and qualities are speedily departing from us, especially our young people, who are supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow,” Mr. Webster said. He was speaking at a special ceremony held at the Webster Park on March 2 in observance of his 80th birthday and in gratitude for his leadership role on the island.

“I am deeply concerned over the behaviour [of young people] and I know that you too, are disappointed,” he told hundreds of school children and adults who turned up for the occasion, sponsored by the Social Security Board and the Education Department. “They have the talent to observe the dangers, but they do not have the courage to say no. The choices and responsibilities lie in the home of their parents.”
Mr. Webster continued: “I know that our social problems are having an effect on our schools, creating stress daily on our educators, community workers. I also believe our young people are faced with far more stressful family situations than many of us experienced 20-25 years ago.

“I believe that conditions in the homes will become worse since parents, particularly mothers, are holding down two or three jobs daily. They leave their homes at around 5.30 in the morning to get to their jobs and return 11-12 at night or sometimes in the wee hours of the morning. These mothers spend very little time with their children. The parents show very little interest, if any, in their children’s moral and social development.”

Mr. Webster warned that children and young adults were becoming a serious matter to deal with and there was a growing sense of frustration among teachers and parents. “Something serious will happen,” he went on. “If you want to know what the effect is, just consider what will happen when one wants money to support their habits. We know that Government alone cannot solve our problems. We will have to determine who come first: the children or the parents, the chicken or the egg?
“Our Government, parents, teachers and students and other children need to be disciplined…We all need to improve our lives and conditions which make our environment peaceful and secure.”

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