THE SUNDAY GLEANER PUBLISHED FEBUARY 3, 2008. Child wives rampant in jam. Written by Gareth manning, Sunday Gleaner writer. Review by Sugarcane. According to statistics, it is understood that at least ten percent of young girls in Jamaica are getting more and more involved with older men. Getting married at an early age, sometimes they even move with these men without being married. Such behavior is commonly known in Jamaica as SHACKING UP. These men, it is said, often abuse, mistreat, and enslave these girls. The statistical institute of Jamaica (Statin) said” while the occurrence of legal child marriages might be low in Jamaica, many girls often find themselves in union at an early age. Some even become involved with men up to ten years their senior. It is believed that this behavior is mainly due to economic conditions. Being forced into this unhealthy lifestyle! “I say unhealthy” because aside from the fact that these girls are sometimes being enslaved and physically abused. They are also being destroyed mentally, emotionally and psychologically. It is in fact! Very unfortunate that some of our young girls have to be living this way. We need to remind ourselves that parenting children surpasses that which is biologically done. Especially to fathers, we need to rescue our children from themselves. And also from these men who are preying on them. Let us stop and think for a moment! And ask yourselves the question! How much do I know about my children or my neibours children? Do I know anyone who might be in this position? Or do I really care? I believe we owe it to the children to find ways to save them from this crisis. Just imagine! If we don't! The kind of adults they will grow up to be. All battered and bruised disturbed, wayward, misfits and menace to society, is that what we want? Train up the in the way they should go! And when they’re old they will not depart from it.