Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my concern about the problem of adult gambling and its effects on children and adolescents.
Last week, a news article reported that some parents brought their school-age children with them when purchasing Mark Six tickets at the betting centres, and some even asked their children to choose Mark Six numbers for them. It has caused considerable public concern about the potential problem of children engaging in gambling activities. In Hong Kong, it is usual to see parents allowing their children to participate in gambling. The main reason is that they perceive gambling as a harmless and low-risk social activity. A recent research, done by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, also showed that the majority of teenagers interviewed were first introduced to gambling activities by their family members at the age of 12 or below. And the most popular forms of gambling are mahjong, lottery and card games.
The impacts of adult gambling are not just on gamblers themselves, but their children. According to the research conducted by Breakthrough, over 44% of youth whose parents were gamblers were interested in gambling. In these families, children can get more opportunities to know about different forms of gambling and learn how to gamble through their parents. Therefore, gambling habits are usually formed in their early years, which increase their chance of gambling addiction in future. The research also pointed out that 70% of the pathological gamblers formed their gambling habits before age 18. When these children grow into adolescents, they will be less alert to the harm associated with excessive gambling participation. As a result, they will be addicted to gambling to seek excitement and a sense of achievement, or to avoid dealing with psychological and emotional issues.
Apart from compulsive gambling, parents’ gambling habits can cause negative effects on children’s value judgment. Children and adolescents who engage in gambling will misconceive that gambling is an easy way to win money without paying any efforts. And this will result in poor attitudes to study and work.
As the consequences of parent gambling are so serious, parents should pay more attention to their own behaviors. I believe that no parents want to see their children fall prey to gambling. Therefore, they should set a good example as they are important role models for their children. For example, they should limit their gambling participation, and better still quit gambling. Most importantly, they must not gamble in their presence or encourage their children to try any form of gambling.
I hope this letter will raise your readers’ awareness of this issue.
Yours faithfully,
Pat
Pat Li