The little baby is so cute and cuddly, with everyone bubbling with excitement over the new angel, and what plans are in store for his or her future. At least at this stage, the world holds promise, as the joy of an innocent arrival never ceases to be a special event.

Along with this joy, comes enormous responsibility, since that young mind needs guidance and protection in an ocean of negative distractions, making the task of modern parenting more challenging than ever.

There is much at stake in trying to mould the mind of a child to become a model citizen, and someone we can all be proud of. If a solid foundation of proper values is planted early, success is more likely, since most us are guided by what we learn during the infancy stages.

This is where the role of parenting is vital, in helping to build not only a better person, but in doing so, a stronger community. Not an easy task by any means, in light of changing methods and concepts and in a world flooded with evolving lifestyles and values.

In recent decades, parenting techniques have changed dramatically, moving away from the type of discipline that older generations used, irrespective of race, or creed, to promote a basic degree of order within the family, that ultimately stretched out into the community.

There are many factors involved in the changing patterns of behaviour throughout the world. Recent wars, the troubled global economy, have led to a shift of traditional values, with more emphasis on whatever is popular, rather than whether it is right.

Modern parents have access to millions of books and tips on raising children in a fast moving complex world, but many are still confused and caught up in the struggle to earn a living during tough economic times, while trying to remain focused on values.

Making the situation more complex is that there are many very young parents who are thrust into this role, without fully realising that what they say, and do, can affect the behaviour of a child for the rest of their life.

Enter the sea of distractions, that include peer pressure and all forms of communication technology, and the problem is exacerbated to a level where undetected, or simply ignored, what seems a small family problem, holds the potential for becoming a community problem later.

No sound thinking person condones child abuse in any manner. However there is absolute proof that if you spare the rod, you spoil the child. This is not calling for a child to be beaten at every turn. That would be wrong. It simply means that if a parent allows small breaches of proper behaviour to go uncorrected, they will allow negative seeds to take root. It is an enormous responsibility, but that's what parenting is about.

That cute little baby that everyone fussed about as being so cuddly, should never have to be dealt with later at an institutional facility. We know that happens, since we do not live in a perfect world. However those facilities will need expanding, unless as a community, we give more attention to the important role of parenting.

It is so easy to take the view that it is too late to turn back the clock to how we used to raise children. Some argue that the high pressure of trying to cope in difficult times is an obstacle for modern day parents, trying to bring values and bread home at the same time. It is a serious matter that the community must help with.

Illegal drug activity, and crime, along with anti-social behaviour should never be accepted as a part of Bermuda life today. We need louder voices, especially from parents, saying that any type of illegal drug use is counter-productive to building good character and should never be quietly given the green light just because so many are doing it.

The judicial system should not have to be the sounding board for better parenting, but if a heavy hand is needed to drive home the message of parent responsibility, any move in this direction should be welcomed. It is not a step to make life difficult for parents, but is hopefully aimed at getting greater focus on the attention required, to help build a stronger, safer, community.

All parents, young an older, must be encouraged as they face difficult times. Bermuda itself is confronted with major economic and social challenges, and no effort should be spared in trying to preserve values badly needed for future generations.