TODAY is Father's Day, a day consigned to the paying of homage to the fathers among us. Father's Day stands in stark contrast to Mother's Day, which is traditionally replete with emotionally charged private and public tributes to our mothers, the stalwarts and backbone of society.To a great many, Father's Day is devoid of significance as there is no father to receive the thanks, praise and well wishes. To others it serves as a painful reminder of unfulfilled aspirations and barren dreams. To some it serves as a purely perfunctory exercise meant to appease undeserving fathers jealous of the accolades heaped upon mothers; and to the lucky few it is a day filled with warmth, strengthened and renewed bonds that serve to form strong character.
Jamaica has become permeated with indiscipline, disrespect and violence. Many search in vain for the answer to the ills within our society. In despair we seek to remedy the fruit of our affliction (crime/corruption/violence) and overlook the root cause. The basic family structure lacks the balance so necessary for the proper environment in which to raise our children.
Too many fathers have reneged on their responsibility towards their progeny. Too many fathers have abdicated their paternal obligations, choosing instead to lead maverick lifestyles unfettered and unattached. In spite of their best efforts, the void within the household can only be partially filled by mothers and grandmothers.
The natural order of things requires the strong stabilising and disciplinary male influence in order that children may grow properly rounded. Wayward fathers have cheated their children out of a complete character development. They have weakened the very family infrastructure on which our society is built and set the stage for the inevitable implosion of values and morality.
We need to instil a sense of responsibility in our dead-beat dads. We need to involve them in the day to day events in their children's lives. Recently a trade unionist representing security guards proudly stated that he intended to agitate for a change in the rules that would now allow female security guards to be exempt from night duties so that they may stay home and take care of the children. This sort of thinking only serves to further promulgate the belief that men are exempt from child care duties.
We need to enforce the laws governing parental responsibilities and obligations. We need to encourage fathers to participate in every aspect of family life so that our society may once more achieve the balance and harmony that are so sadly lacking today.
