Parents Play Key Role In Shaping Kids Personal And Social Values Nancy

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Shaping a child’s character starts at home — and parents must lead the way with discipline, presence, and open dialogue to help teenagers navigate today’s challenges, says Women’s, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. BERNAMA PICKUALA LUMPUR: Shaping a child's character starts at home — and parents must lead the way with discipline, presence, and open dialogue to help teenagers navigate today's challenges, says Women's, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She said that parents needed to reinforce family values through two-way communication, discipline children with a balanced and loving approach, and remain consistently present, as love and attention within the family could reduce the likelihood of teenagers seeking it elsewhere.
"Everything begins at home. If parents themselves do not guide their children, that is the root of the problem. Children today are exposed to all sorts of gadgets. We cannot leave them unsupervised; if we do, it will lead to problems at school," she said after attending a Bernama TV podcast at the grounds of the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur alongside Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
Nancy said that unsupervised exposure to various online materials could lead some children and teenagers to assume that immoral acts were normal.
She added that her ministry had established the KafeTEEN Teenager Centre (KafeTEEN), which provides a safe environment for students during school hours to participate in constructive activities such as debates, self-development, and entrepreneurial programmes.
"These centres also serve as platforms where teenagers can address their issues confidentially and comfortably through guidance and education," she said.
"Sometimes students return from school to an empty home. At KafeTEEN, they can engage in debates, learn about human biology, or receive training to become leaders in economic fields," she added.
Nancy said that the ministry also provided out-of-school counselling for teenagers involved in immoral activities as part of rehabilitation.
"Such services offer teenagers a safe space to express their concerns without fear of stigma. "We have met 13-year-olds who admitted to have had sexual relations. So we help them through open counselling (without stigma), allowing them to talk in a safe environment," she added," she said.
In a related development, Nancy said that the National Family Month in November would highlight the importance of active parental involvement in building strong relationships with children.
The main event will be held in Putrajaya on Nov 8 and 9, featuring interactive activities designed to foster closer bonds between parents and children, while serving as a platform to strengthen the family institution.
Nancy expressed hope that the celebration would contribute to the development of a healthy and harmonious family environment, forming the foundation of a more moral generation capable of navigating current social challenges.
"I urge parents to bring their families, especially their children, to participate in the various programmes we have organised for the celebration," she said. - NST

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