Back in the Sixties, there was a song by Dionne Warwick, and made quite popular by Luther Vandross decades later, entitled A House Is Not A Home. The lyrics suggested that no matter how modern and sleek the furniture, maybe, unless there is love and warmth, it is just a building.

Many successful people had their start in extremely humble settings, but through strong parenting and guidance, they later took their place in the world with confidence and a commitment to making a contribution to society by being productive citizens.

The home has been in a somewhat losing battle trying to maintain vital values when it comes to teaching children early the rules of life. This is mainly because of expanding distractions and modern codes of conduct that seem to lack discipline and respect, which should begin in the home. Some of these traits have been allowed to fester for so long that attempts to regain what is slipping away have become challenging for not only Bermuda, but indeed much of the world. The home should be the place where one can pause to refurbish their deepest aspirations, hopes and dreams in a climate of love, warmth and encouragement even when stumbles occur, which is a part of life. While there are beautiful houses in Bermuda, with beautiful families, it would be naive to assume there are not serious concerns about children and what some are being exposed to in some conditions.

This was such a concern decades ago in America that one network, CBS, dedicated a documentary to the subject, which was stunning and revealing in showing what usually happens when the family unit crumbles, leaving some young minds to approach life without guidance or values. In fact, many attribute recent gun crimes in America, committed by mentally disturbed young people, as a symptom of missing family values. Of course, the issue is of so many guns readily available in a land, where to own a gun is considered a constitutional right. It is difficult to alter gun control laws to hopefully prevent deadly weapons getting in the wrong hands.

Whenever there is a gun tragedy in the US, police usually make a beeline to the shooter’s home because in most cases they usually uncover evidence that early danger signs were either ignored or there was no reaching out to detect a problem, since even troubled families prefer privacy. That is, until something explodes out of their control.

Here in Bermuda, there are numerous underlying elements that pose a threat to young children, and this factor prompted Martha Dismont, executive director of Family Centre, to emphasise the importance of teaching proper values very early in a child’s life.

Even discussing the family can be sensitive, since the home is considered a place for absolute privacy. However, even within that privacy, criminal activity in the form of abuse — sexual or physical — can cause problems that affect community life throughout the Island.

Various illegal drugs and substances that harm a developing young mind are always a concern among those who work tirelessly to protect children that often are exposed to negative elements before they realise the dangers. Some of this activity, as shocking as it may be, is even in the home.

The future of this beautiful Island will depend largely on how well we direct and teach children to take the path to positive and productive values, both at home and in community life.

This will always be a challenge, but every effort could mean the difference between a building with furniture and a home where there is hope and love, and a chance to explore the wonders of life armed with solid values.

A home will never be just a house when it is alive with inspiration, dedication and a spirit of sharing good things together. Bermuda has a bright future, as long as the value of the home is preserved.

It is there where our children should learn the golden principles, such as discipline and respect, which they will need throughout their lives.