‘Fathers becoming an endangered species’

In an attempt to give Fathers’ Day as much prominence as Mothers’ Day, the Gender Affairs Division of the Ministry of National Mobilisation held a one-day symposium to celebrate the day on Thursday, June 18th at the Methodist Church Hall.{{more}}

According to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Mobilisation Rosita Snagg, the event was organised as “part of a thrust to empower families, with special attention being paid to the role of our fathers and men.” Snagg added: “Families are changing. Ideas about fatherhood are evolving. The importance of the role of the father in a child’s life can never be overemphasised… positive health intervention… must be encouraged at all times.”

Celebrating under the theme ‘Men’s health – changing lives, changing communities’, the symposium saw presentations from Dr. Lennox Adams, community elder Wilberforce Emmanuel and Pastor Wade Carter. Their presentations highlighted the importance of men maintaining their health and spirituality in order to fulfil their roles within the family and the wider community.

Dr Lennox Adams stressed that it is “vitally important that the man returns to his former role,” because there is an undeniable benefit to children when there is a father in the home who participates in their care. Adams also acknowledged that many West Indian families have delinquent fathers, and issues such as failure in school and an increase in delinquent behaviour are prevalent in children from such families.

Adams also shared that poor health, bad eating habits, sexual promiscuity and drug abuse detract from a father’s ability to be a positive influence in his children’s lives.

In his brief, but thoroughly amusing presentation, community stalwart Wilberforce Emmanuel urged men to pay more attention to their health, especially where it concerns prostate cancer. He related that the incidence of prostate cancer is higher in men of African descent. “Fathers are becoming an endangered species!” Emmanuel warned.

Pastor Wade Carter emphasised the importance of spirituality and religion in being a good father because it not only affects one’s relationship with God, but also within the family and society. Carter insisted that a lack of spirituality can “adversely affect every other dimension of your lives.”

Minister of National Mobilisation Mike Browne also gave brief remarks. (JSV)