United Workers Party (UWP) Senator Elisha Norbert believes that the way society raises boys and men could be one of the reasons behind acts of femicide.
Norbert shared his thoughts on gender-based violence in Saint Lucia after the killing of Joy St Omer.
When asked about violence against women by St Lucia Times, Norbert spoke about his Christian upbringing and teaching experience. He reflected on larger social issues that shape men’s behaviour.
Norbert said he learned values that teach people to care for and protect women.
“Being from a Christian background, I was brought up to know that we have to take care of women,” he stated. “The Bible teaches us to care for women like fine china.”
He also talked about how women often love, forgive, and show compassion. He believes these qualities are sometimes exploited in abusive relationships.
Norbert said it is painful to see women keep offering kindness and support even when they are being abused.
He said Saint Lucia needs a larger national conversation about how boys are raised and taught, especially regarding those who commit gender-based violence.
“Honestly, I believe society is raising weak men,” Norbert said. He explained that we need to pay more attention to helping boys develop emotionally and to handle disappointment.
As a former teacher, he said some boys are not being taught how to handle failure, setbacks, and emotional challenges in a healthy way.
“I see a lot of child-rearing practices where parents do not want coaches to shout after their children, even in a football match,” he said.
Norbert argued that experiences like losing competitions, facing disappointment, and managing emotions are important parts of growing up.
“These men, they don’t really get to experience failure. They don’t get to experience losing a football match and crying and being told, ‘Hey, it’s okay. In life, you cannot win all the time,’” he stated.
Norbert also said that failing to learn to control emotions can lead to harmful behaviour later on.
“We’ve lost a lot in the way we raise our men, and I think we’re reaping the rewards of that,” he said. “It’s detrimental to the stability of a man’s emotional regulation, and they lash out with their might and their strength and their rage that has never been controlled.”
