More fathers getting involved

Philip Hamilton, Gleaner Writer

More Jamaican fathers appear to be making an effort to be more involved in their children's lives.

In the past, many fathers were criticised for showing little interest in their children's development, a role usually associated with women. One that appears to be changing.

"A lot of fathers have not been fathered, and so it's almost as if they are going off head knowledge, as if this is what they're supposed to do," says guidance counsellor Craig McNally.

According to McNally, this behaviour among some fathers reflect values gained from having another man mentor or father them, and so they end up fathering their children based on how they have been treated.

An improvement

Noel Perkins, principal of Eltham Park Primary School in St Catherine, which is located in an inner-city community, has, since becoming principal two years ago, seen more fathers taking their children to school and attending PTA meetings.

Unlike previous occasions when only mothers turned up at school after being summoned by teachers, several fathers have been coming out, though not in the numbers he would like.

"It's an improvement. In some cases it was non-existent. Starting at two to three per cent is a big start over zero, though we'd like it to be more," says Perkins.

Guidance counsellor Heather Jackson, who is based at Holy Childhood High School, says although the school has seen marked improvement in the attendance of fathers to PTA meetings, for students in the grades seven and eight, it's a different story for the upper grades.

Jackson says the fathers' lack of involvement in their daughters lives affects their decision-making process in their personal relationships.

'They make poor choices when it comes to boys. They are so anxious to have the male figure in their lives that they get into relationship with boys you would not want them to take home, and they get into these boy-girl relationships early to fill the gap."

Jackson notes that it is rare for fathers to visit the school to check on their children's welfare, outside of prior arrangements such as taking lunch money for the children, or if they are responsible for the household when the mothers are overseas.

Principal of Meadowbrook High School, Winsome Reid, says a number of male parents whose children attend her institution are actively engaged in the lives of their children.

Single parents

She says her school also encourages contributions from fathers, several of whom are recognised for their contributions to the institution during appreciation functions

"Some of these men are single parents who offer care and support for their children along with making provisions for their physical care. They attend the PTA meetings, have regular discussions with teachers and offer proper guidance to their children."

Reid notes that fathers have traditionally occupied the role of PTA president since she became principal at the institution in 2004, and that the executive comprises mostly men.

She noted that this year, for the first time in the school's history, both the PTA president and vice-president are men.

Psychologist Kevin Daley of Family Life Ministries says he has been seeing an increase in the number of fathers seeking to play an active role in the growth and development of their children, at his office.

Daley says several fathers had remarked on how the emotional detachment had affected them to the point where they have found themselves relating to their own children in a similar manner.

"They don't want that, because they are feeling the pain having difficulties relating to their children, and they want to do better, " he says.