A CHALLENGE TO A CHILD’S DIGNITY

I was not born with a silver spoon or with a gold spoon. My parents were not rich before I came into this world and even after my existence, but we didn’t beg for food to eat. Despite the fact that we were not rich, my parent made sure they gave us (their children) the best care in their capacity equivalent to that given to the rich (children) out there. My father and mother never made us do things that deprived us of education or jeopardize our safety. I never hawked anything on the street. I am not saying these things because I am full of myself nor to criticize anyone but to give my opinion on this menace of child hawking.

There is this pain I feel in my heart when I see a child (minor) hawking, especially when he or she should be in school studying. The problem isn’t hawking, rather why should a little child be hawking when others are studying? I understand that Nigeria has given most homes, situations that they didn’t bargain for, but I think a parent should safeguard his or her child or children from danger. The dangers that come with child hawking is much and can have far-reaching effects on the child as an adult.

First, 90% of children that hawk lacks proper formal intelligence because they have limited time to study (that is if they attend school). Second, a child that hawks could be easily kidnapped, raped, killed or can join a bad gang because he or she will go to places even worse places to make sure he or she sells well. So, image what kind of future awaits such a child. Prostitution, addiction, stealing, lying and so on are probably the answers.

Children are gifts given to families from God. If your friend gives you a gift on your birthday, I’m sure you will cherish and protect that gift with your strength. So, why can’t you protect that gift (child) given to you by God with your strength?

I am aware of the fact that times are hard. However, is the little money your child brings from hawking enough to make times easy? My dear, I think it will make things worse because it could change the beautiful future of your child. You child might join a bad gang, bringing ridicule, disgrace or disappointment to you and your family. If you really need that money from hawking, please do the hawking yourself. At least you are old enough to know danger when you see one, but a child might not. Please do not only care for your child, but also protect him or her.