Too many “dead-beat” fathers

Apr 04, 2018 Editorial

Society can no longer ignore the fact that we have too many fathers who do not take care of their children financially. Too many of our babies are born out of wedlock, and too many young boys and girls are brought up by single parents, usually by a mother who is likely to be dealing with so much more. Recent statistics have revealed that the country has a young population, but there are numerous children in our midst who will never experience the love, care or attention of a father or a grandfather.
It is estimated that a significant percentage of our children in Guyana were born out of wedlock and that fatherless children are eighteen times more likely to display violent behaviour, ten times more likely to run away from home, twice as likely to drop out of school, twelve times more likely to involve in crime or become gang members, and more than twice as likely to experience teen pregnancies. Some in society have labelled them the generation of misfits and miscreants who are irredeemable. Others have deemed them to be unrepentant, but the fact they are the product of their environment should concern us all.
It is no secret that many of the crimes being committed daily in the country are done by youths, many of whom grew up in environments bereft of sound parental guidance and nurturing. Today, there are so many young men who very rarely take care of their children. This is the scenario throughout the country.
Our fatherless children are crying out for help, and as adults, we must help them before they turn to crime. Those who fail to adequately fulfil their role as fathers and support their children should face punitive action. It is true that men in general, regardless of status, education or race were not taught or properly schooled or socialized to be good fathers, hence their struggle to become good dads.
While the problem is mostly visible among the poor, it also exists among the middle and upper classes who can afford to provide financial support for their children, but often neglect them. Children need both financial and emotional support from their parents. They also need their fathers.
It cannot be denied that the breakdown of parenting has contributed to the kind of angry, violent and deviant behaviour that exists in our schools and society today. This will continue to haunt the nation for as long as we continue to ignore this social phenomenon. Over the years, laws have been enacted to deal with what is commonly known as “dead-beat fathers”, but the bottom line is most of these laws are not being enforced. What is needed is a state of urgency to address this issue before it gets worse.
Despite public awareness programmes that encourage the use of condoms, unprotected sex is still very prevalent, especially among youths. Teenage pregnancy is common in the country and this undesirable situation is further compounded by worrying levels of incest, and the irresponsible and predatory acts of stepfathers forcing themselves on young girls, sometimes inexplicably with the consent of their mothers, or some mothers turning a blind eye because of “economic necessity”. Thus, we are faced with the continuing issue of teenage girls becoming pregnant. The biblical prophecy about children having children rings true.
This nation needs to wake up and face the fact that unless serious plans, projects and programmes are devised and implemented to deal with the issue of fatherless children and teenage pregnancy, we will end up being a nation of talkers and not doers, and of propagating fatherless children and teenage pregnancy.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News