Stephen Golding's father has taught him what it is to be a man. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

Steven Golding, Guest Editor

The funny thing about having a father who is a public figure is that everyone assumes they know who he is and how he is, based on his public image. Sometimes I'm amazed at how far from reality these impressions can be when confronted by the public.

My father, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, is very private and protective when it comes to his family (life), perhaps because of the intrigue of Jamaican politics - I don't know. What I do know is that from him I've learned what it means to be a man and what it takes to raise a family - strength, responsibility, respect, and loyalty toone's convictions, commitments, and principles.

Busiest person

My father has always been and still remains the busiest person I know on the planet. His ambition and drive have always been a source of inspiration to me whenever I feel like giving up - I just think to myself, what would Pop do, and if I do less, it means I haven't done enough. He still gets that gleam in his eye whenever he talks about duty and service to country - something I believe he learned from his own father (and mother).

As a father I think he provides me with the perfect blueprint, always allowing his children to make their own decisions and learn from their own mistakes. Still, he always makes sure his presence is felt so that we always feel protected and encouraged knowing that he's there. He's traditional in the sense that he has a weak spot for his girls as all adoring Jamaican fathers do, but when there's work to do he knows when to call on the son.

The greatest thing about my father's character is his ability to absorb the criticisms and harshness of public life while shielding his family as much as possible. And while he stays busy he never misses a birthday, Christmas, graduation or even a simple Sunday morning breakfast when he feels like showing off his culinary skills. Because of that, he has a family which wants to protect him as much as he protects them. At a time when there seems to be a shortage of good fathers in Jamaica, I salute mine as a shining example.