Tariq Nembhard - Andrew Smith/ Photography Editor

Tariq Nembhard, Flair Guest Editor

My belief is that fatherhood should be based on the execution of the responsibilities of the male parent in the development of his child, throughout that child's life. This overseeing of a child's welfare should not be terminated by that child reaching the determined legal age. This should be a duty that is enjoyed, and the maintenance of a child's well-being should have no time limit, and this is the challenge my father accepted. Even at my age of 27 he is still looking out for me.

Growing up, the relationship I had with my father was not always the best, but every good relationship has its ups and downs.

In my younger years we would have many conversations about nothing in particular, I would ask why or how come, and he would answer. I remember thinking he was the greatest father in the world for coming first in the parents' race at my primary school sports day, and how I would look forward to seeing him there each year.

His fatherly moments of glory continued throughout my childhood with my first football and his taking me to watch games. My first bicycle and the tardy process of teaching us how to ride and making sure we could handle ourselves as children. Swimming, tennis, cricket, we played them all and my father made sure I had what was needed to excel in these activities.

Growing Apart

As I grew older, I began to develop what I thought to be my own brand-new, never-seen-before, amazing, always-right personality. I held my own opinions and generally wanted to do my own thing. This rarely sat well with my father and we never usually saw eye to eye on a number of issues. This eventually led to us growing apart for quite some time.

Then one day it hit me. I was sitting in Fort Lauderdale Airport, reading a sign while waiting to board a flight, when I started rubbing my lips in a manner similar to what my father always did when he was in deep thought. From that point I started to notice characteristics in me that were very similar to those of my father. That was when I realised. All these years I spent disagreeing with my father and trying to make myself less like him were all a waste of time because most of what I am, the way I walk, how I think, how I speak, how I solve my problems, are all traits I have inherited from my parents, especially my father. I am just an improved and better- looking version (LOL).

Good and Bad

Throughout life I had both good and bad moments in my interactions with my father. But from these experiences I have learnt to give respect to those who respect me, and never to let people push me around. I have not always liked my father, but I have always loved him.

He has taught me lessons I could never have learnt anywhere else. For that I will be forever grateful, and just for the record, he and I are now cool.

I cannot wait to have children, and all of my working life has been dedicated to creating the right infrastructure for a healthy, positive family. I am not there yet, but I am working on it.

So I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to my mother and father, and my informal mothers and fathers, for all you have provided me with over the past 27 years. Thanks, everyone, and thank you, Mr. Nembhard.

English dictionaries define the word 'father' as a male parent or a man who exercises paternal care over others. However, I think history has proven that being a father and fathering a child are two completely different things, at least in my observation.