Andre Wright, Staff Reporter
THE ISSUE of male marginalisation has taken centre stage in public discourse throughout much of the 1990s as the core institutions in society have become heavily 'feminised'.
The streets of Kingston and Montego Bay are littered with young men 'chilling' on the sidewalks, smoking spliffs and playing games and the empty eyes of mendicant boys are greeted with stone-cold faces and rolled-up windows at intersections. They do not know the stability of a Cosby Show-like home environment, and the melodious songs of 'a sweet, sweet Jamaica' contrast with the stinging reality of rejection.
As the church grapples with the monster of a society with declining moral values, the beast is growing out of control. A cursory glance in most churches will reveal a preponderant female majority while the violence sweeping the slums has ensnared many young men in prisons or the finality of the grave.
According to the Rev. Paul Thompson, pastor of the Trinity Moravian Church, "Our youngsters do not have enough male mentors whose interests are in good education and social conduct. They have mentors who have other interests."
Rev. Thompson believes that "society has glorified quick-rich lifestyles such as deejaying or singing. We have glorified crude, boorish behaviour and this has sent a signal to children that it is okay; the cruder you are, the more attention you get."
The Rev. Henry Mignott, pastor of the Oracabessa circuit of Baptist churches, agrees. "There are too many youngsters growing up with single parents. No father figure is in the home, and sometimes even when the father is there, he uses his masculinity to shout orders."
LACK OF MALE PRESENCE
Rev. Mignott also bemoaned the absence of males in critical developmental institutions, such as primary schools. He also chastised the mass appeal of the music industry, as the youth are often attracted to dancehall and 'gangsta' rap, the proponents of which are sometimes uneducated and even illiterate.
"Deejays, many of whom can't read, have motivated males that they can take education for granted and still make a living. They don't think they have to study hard. The music has not helped."
But the Christian community will find it very difficult to compete with the glitz, glamour and image which many young men perceive to be masculine. The alternatives are always tempting; the strict commitment of monogamy may not seem adequate to men who have been socialised into the Friday night 'slam' routine in a career of promiscuity.
Speaking to The Sunday Gleaner last week, a resident of the Maxfield Avenue area of Kingston, said, "The influence of the church is not as strong as that of the dons or area leaders. These people give tangible things that make life easier like cars, money or power."
The mere allurement of heaven and the tree of life, though intriguing, will not be enough to harness the interest and involvement of many men unless it affects their quality of life on terra firma. "All the church offers them is crusades. They need to speak to the needs of the young people and find a dynamic way to make an impact," the resident said.
According to Rev. Thompson, "The declining relevance of the church and of religious orientation has played a significant part in the losses among our boys."
Rev. Mignott also adds that "Peer pressure has created havoc in the lives of young men, as they turn quicker to drugs, alcohol and sex than girls. Our churches are dominated by women, while men are lured to the culture of football games, sports and dominoes."
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
However, the churches must fashion a distinctive message to swing male interest and transform the society. Merely parroting the latest rhythm on the dancehall scene or printing Bibles with pictures of basketball players will not be enough to turn the tide.
Long-term programmes geared towards empowering men - financially, spiritually, educationally and socially - must become the number one priority of the church, which itself is afflicted by growing apathy and disinterest among its male population where leadership is concerned.
As Gleaner Senior Staff Reporter, Mark Dawes, said in his April 21, 2002 article: "It's the few men who are there who must shoulder the blame and it's they who must inject masculinity back into the life of the church. Failing this, the church will continue to be faced with the perception that it is a kiddies and/or women's club."
The church has not only the task of sharing the bread of life, it is also charged with the responsibility of helping men to earn 'a bread'.
Elder Sealy, a Mormon missionary, in an interview last Tuesday emphasised the importance of centring men as the guardians of the family.
"We believe in family. The deterioration in family life has taken place such as not having a father figure to look up to," he said. "We go to places where men are found, such as hardware stores, and go back and teach them and encourage them to get the family together and pray for their families."
One thing is certain time is ticking and the problems are worsening. Civil society must combine forces with churches in a united effort to save our men. That time is now.
Andre Wright may be contacted at wrights@colis.com.
