Hold absentee fathers accountable

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The issue of deadbeat fathers in Jamaica has been an ongoing matter. Their lack of responsibility and accountability to the children that they have helped to create is disheartening. It is my genuine belief that these men behave in such a manner because there are not enough strict rules and penalties that will prompt them to think before creating a child. Hence, they are unrestricted and behave in a way that is counterproductive to the Jamaican society. Fathers play an important role in the home. Not just financially, but they also provide structure. Now, when a father chooses to leave home because he does not feel like being there or just wants to leave on a whim without providing any form of support for his offspring, it will cause one to see why there are so many dysfunctional people in society. If Jamaica continues to indulge and turn a blind eye to these men, the country will eventually become a wreck, as there will be more people dependent on the government, resulting in the country having a low productivity rate. Subsequently, I am of the firm belief that there must be some form of legally binding document forcing these men to take care of their responsibility.

In a recent article, The Gleaner outlined that and estimated 45 per cent to almost 50 per cent of households in Jamaica are single-parent and are headed by women. They also stated that female-headed households tend to have many individuals but a lower per capita consumption rate than male-headed ones. This shows an economical imbalance and the disparity in earning potential of males versus females. This results in child labour and exploitation starting at very young ages, as well as early school dropouts because of lack of funding.

Consequently, DNA tests should be administered upon childbirth and the father of the child should be placed on child support if he isn’t married to the mother and living under the same roof as the child. This will foster accountability and structure in the home and society at large.

JAYANA COLE