The Editor, Sir:

Recently my nine-month-old son and I travelled to New York. While we were in the departure lounge at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) it became necessary to change his diaper.

We visited the men's room, but sure enough, there was no changing table to facilitate a father who desires to take care of his child. Fortunately, a female member of the janitorial staff accompanied me to the female rest room allowing me to use the changing table located there. As I was there changing my son's diaper, some women stared at me in disgust, while others queried what I was doing in their domain. After much delay, I found the courage to respond, "Just being a father."

This goes to show that the inequity is entrenched in the design of our public infrastructure. The same is true for our restaurants and other public facilities. It is clear by the design of the airport's rest rooms that only women are supposed to change their children's diapers.

One could argue that it is was a man who designed the facility. Whatever the case might have been, it is time we address these inequities if we want to have a society with better fathers. It is my hope that those responsible for the large-scale renovation at NMIA will correct the inadequacy with alacrity.

I would like to encourage the good fathers to continue being excellent parents, your children need you and society will benefit from the development of well-adjusted human beings.

I am, etc.,

GLADSTONE A. BARRETT, Jr.

gladbar@hotmail.com

Drumblair Crescent

Kingston 8