Fathers ‘own up’

The first Father’s Club born out of the Carenage area has taken on the grand challenge of “owning up for every indictment against fathers.” “This is what fathering is about, taking responsibility for your shortcomings,” said Donald Vincent, one of the club’s founders, in an interview. “The species now in trouble is the young male.” Each of its 27 members has acknowledged that there are too many fatherless children and that the true role of the father is greatly lacking in the homes of every community in Trinidad and Tobago. As Vincent puts it — the father should not only be seen as “seed-planter” and provider but as one who endeavours “to preserve society.”

“Men have failed to take care of their children and this is because of our culture which has as its credo: plenty pleasure and less discipline. Pleasure is overriding the watchwords we once had as a nation,” Vincent added. The all-male club, whose home base is the Pt Cumana Community Complex, will celebrate its first anniversary on April 9. Vincent explained the club’s concept: “We saw the need for the fathering dimension which seemed to be demolishing in society for example in the home, schools, work place, judiciary, police and prison services. As a result, our country is in trouble. Without the fathering factor there will be more corruption, more murders, more abuse of women and children, more crime, more failed relationships and more breakdown in social structures which lead to stress and frustration... The problem in our country did not just develop overnight and it will not go away anytime soon. We need to put back the fathering dimension into society.”

They admitted, the task is magnanimous! However, they welcome the support of all Trinbagonians including NGOs who long to return TT to their former days when communities exhibited oneness. The Father’s Club launched “The Bike Club” last year which allowed some 75 youths to be part of a wholesome setting and engage in a fun activity. Other projects included a ride to Chaguaramas and a Christmas dinner whereby families could get involved. Other projects on the drawing board include computer courses, talent development, sporting activities, group sessions and music groups. “Our goal is to properly educate, mould family values, prepare youths to take advantage of better opportunities, be multi-functional and create in them, a rank and order respect for elders and parents,” Vincent said.

Not all the members are fathers, however. But they do share the concerns of the fathers in the club. Among the latter are university lecturers, accountants, military personnel and taxi drivers. Vincent is a father of two and runs and an automotive garage. “They (fathers) expressed common challenges — the alarming rate of breakdown of relationships in the home.” One of the club’s core members and father of four girls, Anthony Jones viewed his role in the club as “giving back to the community via working specifically with the youths. Growing up in my time we got back from the community and that is lacking now. I had people who teach me about life, career, the importance of school work, being focused.

Youths need that today. I think I am a successful father today because of my wife, but also because my father ensured I had a solid spiritual background and now, I implement in my family.” The Father’s Club has plans of hosting teaching seminars and working along with NGOs and other groups to effect a change, in their community first, and extended their task to the wider public and eventually, globally.