The Editor, Sir:

Jamaica is said to be becoming the criminal capital of the world. Well, I think the real cause of rising crime in Jamaica lies within the lack of financial achievements by mothers and fathers in the society after working hard for many years.

What I am trying to bring across is the fact that most youths grow up seeing their parents working hard and at the end of the day, it is nothing for them to be pleased about.

They then tell themselves that parents will not be their role models. They begin their quest to find a hero, but staring them into the face is Mr. crime and immorality, and in most cases, after trying it out they say to themselves this is it.

Now I believe if crime is to be eradicated, this society will have to review the role of hard working people who honestly give of their best in their better years.

The society will have to make sure that these people achieve things which most people hope for such as a home, food and clothing etc. When this happens, children will have something to look up to. In turn, they will respect their parents efforts and begin to see them as the best role models one could have. Then, they might commit them-selves to hard work and give up crime, violence and immorality.

I am, etc.,

Allan Martin,

Namibia