Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage made an appeal to all fathers in The Bahamas to help in reversing the father absence crisis in the country.
Reversing the father absence crisis is important because many of the social ills are as a result of the lack of a father’s involvement in their children’s lives, “which is evident in the creeping preponderance of violent crimes committed by young men,” Dr. Nottage said during his recent national Father’s Day address.
“The presence of a father is especially essential at this time in our country where there is no father figure in too many homes and with their absence has come a severe breakdown in the family structure. Fathers were designed to be the head of the family and we are now feeling the results of their absence in the homes and in the lives of their children more than ever.”
He expressed that the Ministry of National Security have been “troubled” by the negative impact of the absence of fathers in the home.
This has caused the ministry to start a programme called “Give Every Child a Father,” which is currently seeking men to volunteer and donate some their time to young people who need a positive presence in their lives.
“The country needs you (men) to step up to the plate and shoulder that sacred responsibility,” Dr. Nottage told fathers.
According to the minister of national security, studies have shown that a father’s affection and involvement in a child’s life promote their positive, social and emotional development.
He encouraged fathers to be inspired by Ephesians 6:4, which says, “Ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Dr. Nottage explained to the fathers that God wants them to be around and available to train, educate, discipline and instruct their children in a manner approved by God.
“You must exhibit the character you want to see emulated by your children,” he said.
“To those fathers who have children and know that they are not in their lives, please take this occasion of Father’s Day and find your children. Get involved in their lives and do what is mandated by God. Your children need you.”
