DELLY Ranx said not enough emphasis is placed on Father’s Day and this is quite disheartening given the important role they play in society. He believes a merger with Mother’s Day would solve that issue.

“It is so, so sad how a lot of people see our fathers — and it was the same as a youth growing up. Father’s Day has grown to become just another day. It’s very unfortunate that mothers are given the props over fathers, one reason being is that mothers are the ones who nurture the children for some nine months and so there is this extra special love,” the artiste/producer told the Jamaica Observer.

“The truth is there is a lot more good, responsible, and caring fathers than what most persons consider bad fathers. Jamaicans are noted for using a few bad examples and grouping everyone in the same barrel,” he continued.

Today is celebrated internationally as Father’s Day, which celebrates the contribution of fathers and father figures in the lives of children. Mother’s Day was celebrated on May 8 with the usual fanfare.

“In order to make Father’s Day more recognised we should twin the two celebrations on the same day. So, children would prepare to bring home two gifts, one for mommy and one for daddy…likewise both parents would be treated to a special dinner,” he said.

According to a 2014 Planning Institute of Jamaica study, more than a third of Jamaica’s children have no father figure and over 90 per cent of households have the parenting role being performed by the birth mother or a grandmother. The negative impact is seen and felt not only within the immediate family context in the form of limited financial resources and frequent child neglect, but extends into the adult years.

Opposite outcomes have been found in cases featuring the involved father, with favourable regard also extending to the mother, resulting in better physical and mental well-being.

Delly Ranx, who was raised by his mother in Southside, Kingston, has fond memories of his father, Isaac Foster, who lived elsewhere.

“I remember dad coming to take my lunch money and whatever he knew I wanted, to the house every week. In fact, he did not have any special day to come so I would just see him pop up and I would surely be getting a big, fat hug from my dad. And even though the other children [were] not his, they would be getting something special too,” he said. “As a pre-teen going to Holy Family Primary School, dad would sit me down and say: ‘Son, keep studying hard because education is the key to success and I want you to get a good education.’ So when I got through to Excelsior High, dad was so happy.”

According to the deejay/producer, he went to live with his father as a teen and discovered he was a disciplinarian.

“I was 14 years old living with my father along Jacques Road and one of my friends had a bike. You know how teenaged boys love adventure and fun so, a jump on the bike ride down to Mountain View and was coming back when the wheel swerved, having gone through some sand, and you know what happen next — the bike crash! My father fix it back but a get a ‘rahtid’ beating. A never want to even look at another bike again, and that teach me to see people things and leave it alone,” he said.

Delly Ranx — a father of six — said he will be calling his father, who lives in Kingston, on Father’s Day. He said he has also wired some “funds” to his old man.

“I am now following in my father’s footsteps. He still call mi from Jamaica to offer me very solid advice. I rate my father 10 out of 10,” he added.

Delly Ranx (given name Delroy Foster) got his musical break in 1992 with Never Done. His other hits include Head Ache, What A Gal, and Nuh More Than Yuh.

His success as a record producer include Popcaan’s Family, Mavado’s Weh Dem A Do, and Sean Paul ft Chico Ganja Breed, which appeared on the Grammy-winning Dutty Rock album.

His latest single, Snake Wine, was recently released on the New Money rhythm and is produced by Outfytt Records.