STATE Minister in the Ministry of Labour, Senator Floyd Morris has suggested that fathers who play active roles in the lives of their children be given incentives for their efforts.

Speaking during a function put on by the Early Stimulation Programme (ESP) on Wednesday to honour fathers and grandfathers of children with disabilities, Senator Morris said too many fathers have abdicated their responsibilities particularly when their children are disabled.

As a result he said those fathers who support their children should be rewarded.

“The time has come for us to look at some form of incentive mechanism for those fathers who give support to their children,” he said. “In order to save Jamaica and remedy the crisis we are having we have to do something for our fathers.”

Senator Morris who is blind, said he too was neglected by his father during the onset of his blindness.

“(Some) fathers don’t want to have anything to do with their children who are disabled,” he said. “It is an extraordinary father who gives support to the children that are a part of ESP.”

Children’s Advocate Mary Clarke supported Senator Morris’ suggestion, but said any incentive programme should include both parents.

“I think parents who play responsible roles should be encouraged in every single way, whether by incentives or in whatever way,” Clarke told the Observer.

At the same time, Clarke called for planned parenthood and the sensitisation of individuals about the importance of good parenting.

“The biggest problem in Jamaica is unplanned parenting. Parents having children they did not plan for, children they don’t want, children they don’t love and children they don’t know how to care for,” she said. “If we had 70 per cent of pregnancies being planned, and if these children were in a home of love where they felt wanted and respected regardless of their needs, what a wonderful Jamaica this would be.”

In paying tribute to the fathers and grandfathers honoured at Wednesday’s function, Clarke said while it takes a real man to father a child, it takes an even bigger man to father a child with a disability.

One such father is Courtney Whyte, whose three-year-old daughter – Courtney Ann – suffers from a brain disorder. Despite her disability, however, Whyte said he finds joy in caring for her.

“It is just a joy to be around her because she is my child. I try my best to take care of her and I pray daily for her. I give her the support, so whatever I am doing I just put it aside for her,” he said.

Like Whyte, Carlton Sanchez said taking care of his six-year-old daughter, Annisha who was born with jaundice, is gratifying.

“It is not really unusual to me to be taking care of my daughter who has a minor disability,” he said.

Antonica Gunter-Gayle, director of the ESP pointed out that the function was held in recognition of Child Month which is being celebrated under the theme ‘Fathers, your children need you’. She said while it is generally believed that most fathers do not play a responsible role in the lives of their children, the fathers honoured on Wednesday were living testimonies that there are fathers who support their children.

“These fathers really take time out to spend time with their children and we really want to big them up,” she said, adding that the fathers who were selected were regularly seen taking their children to school and attending parenting workshops.