Psychologist Leachim Semaj
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By Kimone Witter
Psychologist Leachim Semaj says the nation is adrift and being led by popular culture as he launched a scathing criticism of the apparent promotion of a dunce lifestyle.
Dr. Semaj says the word "dunce" has a negative connotation and should not be made to appear otherwise.
There has been public discussion about students carrying backpacks labelled "Dunce" to schools, with some commentators urging caution in the normalisation of the label.
Speaking Thursday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica, Dr. Semaj said a crisis in parenting is partly to be blamed for this direction of the Jamaican society.
"Media houses and marketing people have lost it completely because guess what, people 50 and over have more spending power than those under 50, but yet still, the whole culture is focused on teenagers...and 20s. So this would happen. The crisis in parenting and the popular culture is being allowed to make a distinction in terms of, listen, here is what is important," he reasoned.
Dr. Semaj said the narrative has to change and positive values reaffirmed.
He commended the principal of Jonathan Grant High School, Dr. O'Neil Ankle, who declared he would not be allowing "Dunce" branded bags at his school.
"I love the way that the principal, Mr. Ankle, moderated his post where he said initially that you can't come in the school [with those bags], but then he moderated and said now come in the school but they'll have a special place for those persons and then they call the parents to come and deal with the issue."
Dr. Semaj said the situation points to the impact that parents as well as teachers have on children.
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