By Regina Lee
The Star/Asia News Network
Saturday, Oct 27, 2012
PETALING JAYA - The rise in the number of latchkey children may be why many are turning to crime at an increasingly young age.
Malaysian Child Resource Insti*tute governor Liew Sau Pheng said while there was still no empirical data on criminals getting younger, latchkey children between the ages of seven and nine are particularly at a high risk of being influenced negatively as most child care centres would not accept them due to their boisterous and inquisitive nature.
She defined "latchkey kids" as school-age children who regularly spend part of the day unsupervised at home while their parents are at work.
"At that age, they would already have the maturity to do things on their own but not the mental capability for responsibility," she said in response to recent cases involving children.
The latest case involving a child was reported in Sabah where a seven-year-old was caught breaking into a house.
"When children get into trouble, don't blame the child immediately. Look at the child's background and you will know the cause of his or her actions," she said, adding that the Government should look into providing a safe place for children to spend their time after or before school.
Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that in his decades as a social activist the slide only started about 10 years ago.
"In our foundation, it is quite common to see a 12-year-old stealing motorcycles," he said, adding that he finds this development worrying.
He also said that while property crime such as thefts and break-ins are still the common crime among juveniles, they are also becoming increasingly violent as in the case of the two 14-year-old bullies who allegedly beat another schoolboy to death in Malacca on Wednesday.
"In the case of behaving violently, I think many of the children watch action movies and think that it is okay for them to solve problems this way," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Women, Family and Community Develop*ment Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kie said that despite all the Government best efforts, the children's upbringing is still in the hands of parents and families.
"The only thing the Government can do is set policy, but it takes the whole community to bring up a child," she said.
She added that youths and children can also call Talian Nur at 15999 for counselling.
The Star/Asia News Network
Saturday, Oct 27, 2012
PETALING JAYA - The rise in the number of latchkey children may be why many are turning to crime at an increasingly young age.
Malaysian Child Resource Insti*tute governor Liew Sau Pheng said while there was still no empirical data on criminals getting younger, latchkey children between the ages of seven and nine are particularly at a high risk of being influenced negatively as most child care centres would not accept them due to their boisterous and inquisitive nature.
She defined "latchkey kids" as school-age children who regularly spend part of the day unsupervised at home while their parents are at work.
"At that age, they would already have the maturity to do things on their own but not the mental capability for responsibility," she said in response to recent cases involving children.
The latest case involving a child was reported in Sabah where a seven-year-old was caught breaking into a house.
"When children get into trouble, don't blame the child immediately. Look at the child's background and you will know the cause of his or her actions," she said, adding that the Government should look into providing a safe place for children to spend their time after or before school.
Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that in his decades as a social activist the slide only started about 10 years ago.
"In our foundation, it is quite common to see a 12-year-old stealing motorcycles," he said, adding that he finds this development worrying.
He also said that while property crime such as thefts and break-ins are still the common crime among juveniles, they are also becoming increasingly violent as in the case of the two 14-year-old bullies who allegedly beat another schoolboy to death in Malacca on Wednesday.
"In the case of behaving violently, I think many of the children watch action movies and think that it is okay for them to solve problems this way," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Women, Family and Community Develop*ment Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kie said that despite all the Government best efforts, the children's upbringing is still in the hands of parents and families.
"The only thing the Government can do is set policy, but it takes the whole community to bring up a child," she said.
She added that youths and children can also call Talian Nur at 15999 for counselling.
