I had the privilege of covering a parents' award function for The Gleaner in Old Harbour, St Catherine, during the latter part of November 2006.

Betty Ann Blaine, convenor of Hear The Children Cry, was the guest speaker. At that event, she made a comment which perhaps needs further attention. She declared that Jamaica did not have a crime problem (per se), but instead, a family problem.

There are several aspects to this statement, but here I would like to focus on one: the matter of the male species who are often missing in action with regard to meeting their parental responsibilities.

Why does the Jamaican male, in general, behave like this? Why don't they stand up to their task of being fathers? How can one justify this situation?

Many claim that it is a product of our socialisation, and that we were so conditioned from the days of slavery when we were used by our masters solely for the sake of propagation. But slavery has long been abolished, so what have we learnt from attempts at resocialisation?

As a teenager growing up in the country parts, I can recall one of those infrequent "Facts of Life" sessions I had with my father. At one of these sessions he said to me, "Son, don't let the blood perish." This means that I should own up to my responsibilities whenever I get a girl pregnant, that I should be proud of my seed, my blood, my heritage.

population demographics

So, how can one reconcile this with a father who knowingly rejects his child? What kind of individual would even contemplate such an action?

Our population demographics suggest that there are many female single-headed households. This should not come as a surprise when the men seem prone to be missing in action.

Granted, some fathers may tend to shirk their duties because of the unavailability of jobs and the general lack of money. However, they should share whatever they can find to eat with their children.

A number of single mothers and their children are facing untold hardship. There are some out there with three and four children and are getting no support from the fathers.

Many persons will be quick to blame these mothers, to call them names, but the situation may not be that clear-cut.

love and happiness

The first man entered the scene, he pledged his love, they fell in love, a child is born and he left shortly afterwards. After some time has elapsed, the woman became lonely, another man came on the scene, and there seemed to be love and happiness. Later, a child is born, the relationship breaks up, the man abandons her and the child. After perhaps a longer period, another man enters the scene, another child is produced, the relationship breaks up and he leaves the child and mother to fend for themselves!

It is immaterial as to whether the man or the woman is the cause of these break-ups. The bottom line is that the children should not have been abandoned by their fathers.

Some of these mothers are without jobs; others have but cannot make ends meet with their meagre salaries. The children are always hungry, they hardly go to school, they drop out and hang around the neighbourhood. They soon join gangs, steal, and even commit murder.

Kudos to all the fathers out there who are standing up to their responsibilities as MEN. Now we see what the Blaine theory is all about: Fix the family and you fix the crime problem.

Question, comments, observations? You can email me at elgin1225@yahoo.co.uk