Thomas Phinemann, Contributor

As Father's Day approaches, many men are mourning the deaths of their sons and daughters. Here in Jamaica, murders and road fata-lities continue to plunder our male population. Hundreds of children are fatherless, several women being rendered single moms.

We know that Father's Day will be a trying time for those who mourn, and we ask that those of us whose fathers are still alive reach out in love and comfort.

Father's Day celebrants owe the commemoration, every third Sunday, to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington state. Dodd conceptualised Father's Day after attending a Mother's Day service in 1909. She wanted to pay tribute to her father, William Jackson Smart, who raised six children, including a newborn, after her mother died in childbirth.

Dodd lobbied for Father's Day to be an annual event. She wanted to celebrate the day on her father's birthday, June 5, but there was not enough time for preparation. The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.

Several presidents of the United States subsequently sanctioned the celebration. However, it was President Richard Nixon, who established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday in June annually.

Needs more recognition

Traditionally, Father's Day in Jamaica, held the third Sunday every June, is rather low-keyed when compared to Mother's Day. Fathers need more recognition for their roles in the home and society.

Many Jamaican men are left to care for their families while their wives seek better fortunes abroad. Some of us are fortunate enough to have great partners who complement us.

We acknowledge that there are some men who shirk their paternal responsibilities, who allow children to be in want because of differences with wives and girlfriends.

This is not good enough. As we reflect on Father's Day, let us vow to do all we can to be there for our children - financially and emotionally. We know that women cannot take our place. They can never 'man' the home. They need us as much as we need them.

One of the things we can do as men is to be fathers to the fatherless. Some of us are doing that, but more of us with positive values and attitudes can play a more active role in the lives of the young men in our communities. May Father's Day 2008 be a great day for all dads!

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