By: Jerromie S. Walters
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has expressed concern over the misuse of social media platforms by young Liberian girls, stressing that children are being left in spaces that are damaging their minds and, as such, parents should pay more attention to them.
Elaborating on Metro FM early Sunday, January 15, 2023, the Vice President said that with the attributes of other young women, the influence of social media is now reflecting on the lives of a lot of young girls, especially here on the continent of Africa and in Liberia specifically.
“Somehow they think that’s how life is supposed to be, but if you can be beautiful and dress modestly, you will be ok.” “Any man that sees you naked won’t marry you because he doesn’t want a woman who has exposed herself like that, so you have to be careful,” she urged.
However, the VP attributed the disorderly conduct of young girls of late to how they were brought up by their parents and the things they embraced from their childhood days.
“It’s sad when you have mothers dressing their 2 to 3 years old daughters as if they are 21, so it starts in the home, so we can’t leave it on the girls who may not know better, because if your mother starts to dress you like that when you are 3, 4, and 5, if you are 15, you will be naked, so I’m calling on the conscious of our mothers to start to be a little bit more careful about how we are growing our daughters, because that’s the effect”, she noted.
She admonished parents to ensure that their children are taught at home the essence of obedience, in order for them to demonstrate it whether at home or out.
The Vice President further mentioned that the women legislative caucus is concerned about ways forward, in addressing issues of the recent wave of how young women have been misusing social media, and she thinks Liberia needs to close her society a bit.
She believes any attempt by parents to allow their children to do whatever pleases them means Liberia is breeding a new generation of lawless children.
VP Taylor also alluded that schools also have a responsibility in ensuring that children are brought up the right way.
“We want a generation that will grow up understanding laws, understanding rules of engagement, and understanding how people should live because we are in a global world; some people could end up in Australia or China, and if you don’t have the steps and boundaries you set as a child, you could end up in trouble.” “Then we are having problems, and the next thing you know, you will have people saying Liberians shouldn’t enter this country,” she articulated.
She further emphasized that the issue of obedience and respectfulness is one that should be addressed for children, as it has the propensity to undermine the respect and dignity of Liberians.
As she’s expected to celebrate her birthday on January 17, 2023, the VP has called on those interested in giving her gifts to do so through finance, which she said would be directed toward her NGO and contribute to the lives of girls across the country.
She encouraged parents to give the necessary supports to their female kids, with the needed encouragement, mentorship and influence, in order for them to become the heads.
In the next 15 years, the Vice President said her expectation is to see women involvement in the various professions, skills, and at the national scene at a greater and higher extend.
She attributed her consistent support for girls to the fact that they are more vulnerable to different types of violence, and they make up the substance of everyday life.
At the same time, the Vice President said that her goals and aspiration for this year in politics are to remain engaged with the President’s agenda to ensure that he’s reelected come October.
She has vowed to vigorously campaign across the country, and remain engage with young people in order for the President to complete the works he has stated.
