Dear Editor,

Last Mother’s Day the strains of Mama by popular harmony group Boyz II Men and Thank U Mama by Sizzla Kalonji blared from sound systems as they competed for the number one spot in the hearts of consumers shopping for Mother’s Day gifts.

It is no secret: The celebration of Mother’s Day catapults to euphoric levels annually as opposed to Father’s Day, which is lacklustre.

Months leading up to the day, various advertisements about mothers, through different media, flood the landscape. Alluring offerings of gifts — gift vouchers, enticing vacation get-away packages — are the usual offerings. But what of fathers? Why aren’t they celebrated as much? Do they contribute to the less-than-favourable coverage leading up to the day? Some may say yes, but should they be celebrating themselves? The media and other entities should generate the same energy in recognising fathers as they do mothers.

The uncouth behaviour of some men should never be allowed to mar and overshadow the goodness and effort of others who strive to keep the family together, who have great family values, who will forever be faithful and caring partners, who attend that parent teachers association meeting, who gave their children their first driving lesson, who ensure that their children’s education and holistic development are paramount to whom they will become.

Every child deserves to have a stable father/father figure in his/her life. President Barack Obama, in his June 2020 Father’s Day speech, during his visit to the non-profit group Town Hall Education in Washington, stated that he laments his father’s absence and still wonders what his life would have been like had he been a greater presence.

According to the Children’s Bureau, high levels of father involvement are correlated to higher levels of sociability, confidence, and self-control in children. Children with involved fathers are less likely to act out in school or engage in risky behaviour in adolescence. It said, “The psychological harm of father absence experienced during childhood persists throughout the life course.”

Awkward though some situations might be in broken relationships, it’s imperative that both parties try to foster a healthy relationship between fathers and their children.

To every father and father figure, continue to be a beacon-bearer for your children/charges. To the not-so-active fathers, reach out and take responsibility. Your children did not ask to be here.

Come mek wi celebrate Father’s Day, June 18, 2023!

Sekard

jadrakes60@gmail.com