WITH the start of Parents’ Month three weeks away, singer Jah Mike appeals for more responsible parenting on his latest song A Baby Needs a Mother and a Father.

The self-produced single was released in late September and is co-written by Jah Mike and his spouse, Edna Rosa, with music composed by veteran pianist Dennis ‘Jah D’ Fearon.

“The reason for this song is because a lot of kids grow up without a mother and a father, which is not right. So the only way for the kids to grow in a good family is when they have a mother and father, to teach values,” said Jah Mike.

A Baby Needs a Mother And a Father is released at a time when child abuse and parental neglect in Jamaica is at an all-time high.

According to the Office of the Children’s Registry, a government agency that monitors children’s rights, it receives hundreds of reports of child abuse monthly.

The independent National Parenting Support Commission has also spoken about disturbing rates of parental abuse in Jamaica.

A father of six children, Jah Mike (real name Lawrence Lugg) has been recording music since 1981 when he did Down in The Bottom of The Well.

Among his many songs is Reggae Anthem, on which he was backed by the famed Wailers rhythm section of bassist Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett and drummer Carlton Barrett.

— Howard Campbell