Parenting skills vital

Friday May 23, 2008
Parenting skills vital


KUALA LUMPUR: Many people are shying away from parenting programmes because they consider them unnecessary, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

“Being a parent is not easy. One must learn about parenting skills. We have programmes which give tips on parenting and teach how to be responsible parents to children.

“The programmes are open to all and we organise them in the collaboration with NGOs but our frustration is that parents are not attending,” she told The Star Thursday.

She was asked to comment on 1,649 cases of missing children reported last year.

On Wednesday, Dr Ng's deputy Noriah Kasnon told Nancy Shukri (BN – Batang Sadong) in Parliament that 86% of those missing were from the 14-17 age group.

Noriah also said that more than 100 children reported missing between January and March have not been found.

Dr Ng said most of the missing children were girls who had family and relationship problems, while others ran away with their boyfriends.

“Parents must ensure that their family remains harmonious. They must teach their children values and be able to manage conflicts,” she said.

Although the ministry was very concerned with the high number of missing children, she said it could not do anything about finding them as that was for the police.