THE EDITOR, Sir:
QUITE A few articles have been published recently on parenting including one on May 25 entitled: 'Baby mother, baby father' written by Melville Cooke. I noted where he said, "I long for the day when the situation can change enough for us to leap to a slight change in terms and coin 'baby parents'."
This has prompted me to reflect on my own situation. Like many Jamaicans I grew up without a father. At times it was depressing to know that he might be somewhere in the world making a good living.
The male figure is essential to the development of family life. My life has been full of obstacles. My mother has struggled with five of us and will continue to do so until better comes her way. I am told my father left when I was five months old. I never saw him until I was nine. He failed to give me a valid reason for rejecting me at such a tender age.
My mother is the only family who helped me in times of hardship, suffering and stress. My mother sells in the Spanish Town market. Life is not easy for women who are not earning a large enough income to properly maintain
five children. Sometimes I sell for myself just to continue my schooling.
My attendance in the early years at school was poor. I blame my father's absence for this and at times I find it difficult to forgive him for what he has done to me and my family. He went overseas when I was 11 and to this day I have not seen or heard from him. Even now, at 17, given all these past experiences I feel unimportant, left out and unwanted.
My aunt has been a driving force in my life for the past four years as she helps with my schooling and gives me all the amenities needed by a teenager. I could not have asked for a better adult figure in my life.
Many people have given me encouragement over the years apart from my mother and aunt. I thank all my teachers at the Jose Marti Technical High School especially Miss Georgia Bennett and Mr. Rohan Daley for his words of inspiration.
I know it may be difficult for many young men and women today who have never seen or heard from their fathers, but they should remember to pray and hope that one day they will see them.
They should also keep in mind that God is our father and he will always be there.
I am, etc.,
WAYNE MORGAN
Jose Marti Technical High School
Spanish Town P.O.
St. Catherine
