Letlotlo Boy-Child Program Chairperson Urges Parents to Reevaluate Modern Parenting Styles

The Chairperson of the Letlotlo Boy-Child Program, Mr. Harry Nkhetsé, has called on parents to carefully consider how their choices and daily routines influence their children’s behavior. Speaking in an interview with the Agency, he highlighted concerning behavioral patterns among young people, many of which can be traced back to parenting approaches shaped by the demands of the 4th industrial revolution.

Mr. Nkhetsé explained that nearly 90 percent of parents belong to the working class, spending long hours away from home and leaving little room for quality interaction with their children. To bridge this gap, parents often compensate with material offerings such as money, cars, or smartphones. While these gestures may be well-intentioned, they fail to instill accountability or discipline.

“These actions make children feel entitled to everything, and this entitlement is one of the reasons some of them end up skipping school, experimenting with alcohol, or getting involved in drugs,” he said.

The Letlotlo Boy-Child Program has observed these trends through counseling sessions with youth, where recurring themes of absentee parenting, lack of communication, and over-reliance on material substitutes emerge. According to Mr. Nkhetsé, the outcome is a generation of young people struggling with identity, discipline, and responsibility.

He stressed the importance of parents dedicating more time to mentorship and emotional connection, rather than relying on material provisions. Building stronger family bonds, he said, can reduce the risks of substance abuse, school absenteeism, and delinquent behavior among children.

The Letlotlo Boy-Child Program continues to advocate for parental involvement, mentorship programs, and community-based initiatives that nurture holistic child development. By addressing the root causes of entitlement and disconnection, the program seeks to empower families and equip young people with values that prepare them for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.