THE EDITOR, Sir:TO ALL those out there who have fathers to really cherish and spoil today, I really envy you. Fathers are very important in the scheme of family life and it is wonderful when you are lucky enough to have them with you during your formative years.
I am one of those women who feel that fathers should be head of the household and I am certainly not demeaning women when I say this. Women are also most essential and do remember that man cannot cope without a woman; after all we have one of his ribs.
There is that special bond which I know I have missed and still miss as my dad died when I was four and I only have fragmentary memories of him, and although I am now a senior citizen I do wish he had stayed with me much longer, so you see how happy you with fathers are today and this is why I say hold on to the bond and keep it alive forever.
Despite not having a father in my formative years, my life was really blessed by the 'extended family'. My mother came from a large family and she ensured that the men in her family became our surrogate father, and one particular uncle was singled out for this job. He certainly did a wonderful job so that I can truthfully say we grew up with love freely given.
What we really need in this blessed isle is to go back in time to those days of the 'extended family'. A lot of our woes stem from the fact that family life has broken down and so I beg of all you fathers, uncles etc. out there, restart this essential part of our culture and you will be surprised to see the improvement.
Children give your father the biggest hug you can and fathers continue to show love and understanding to your children it will reap gold for you in the years ahead.
I am, etc.,
BARBARA COVER
Kingston 6
