THE EDITOR, Sir:

I'M TOLD that Father's Day is the saddest day in the year. I suppose that this is because in the Jamaican context, so many fathers play so little a role in the lives of their children and they aren't around on their day. Even on Mother's Day itself flowers are still being sold. On Father's Day, the streets are relatively deserted and the commercial activity virtually nil.

The truth hit closer home recently when I saw one solitary Father's Day advertisement in one of Mandeville's community papers. The ad invites fathers to a 'Skimpy Affair' on Saturday, June 20. The ad even said " ... giving the fathers what they wants" (sic). (Errors subsequently corrected). And I asked myself the question, 'Is this the best we can do for our fathers?'

Not good enough

I then decided to have a look at the ads for Mother's Day. I counted seven. They invited mothers to a variety of activities: lunch, brunch, dinner, a garden party or invited children to visit certain stores to purchase gifts for their mothers.

I repeat my question: 'Is this the best we can do for our fathers?' We invite them to spend 'all day and night' away from their children!

For years, so many fathers have behaved irresponsibly toward their offspring and the mothers of their children. In electoral campaigns over the years, the men seeking public office had a golden opportunity to appeal to our men to be responsible. They had a captive audience, even one-on-one. But no, this is not an objective of campaigns. And, perhaps this is why so many of our men seeking political office have no ethical appeal.

So, the impression given on the campaign trail is: 'Have all the children you want; we'll find schools for them. We'll provide medical care for them. And when they graduate, we'll find jobs for them'. Well, that's not the way to go.

How different the attitude to mothers! It is thought that mothers would appreciate a lunch date with their children. No such luck with the fathers. You have to invite them to 'something skimpy'.

We have sown to the wind; now we're reaping the whirlwind.

I am, etc.,

NORMAN W.M. THOMPSON

c/o Dept of English and Modern Languages

Northern Caribbean University

Mandeville