by Edward Hutcheson
“Absentee fathers can be blamed for crime” as a front page news story of July 1st states, but we are going to have to step back and look at causes; especially if the statement is attributed to s person who has a particular political bias. We have to step back to the issue of collective responsibility and how it has been downplayed over the past five decades by our political leaders. Sometime after 1967, politicians seemed to take on the responsibility of being “Daddy” to everyone, to the extent that one could get a job (or be given a job) with no real qualification or responsibility if they knew the right persons. The politicians became more than “Daddy”, they became involved in every school where any of their party members had an unruly child; as they banished teachers to “out island” postings or moved around Principals who would not stand for their “interference”. In one generation they destroyed a system that had produced students who were studious, respectful and responsible; ironically it was a system that prepared them (politicians) for the transition that happened in the 1960’s. Back in those days even the Policeman was fearful of the Schoolteachers. What has evolved is a culture of irresponsibility that may have reached its zenith in May 2012, when people were irresponsible enough to vote for “promises” that would have been impossible even in a good economy.
Politicians have “inserted” themselves into the fatherhood dynamic , it may be better if Mr. Bell placed the label of “absentee father” on this particular group; they only see their children every five years – who are the bastards here? On the brink of forty years it would be good to put this attitude of “bastardisation” to rest and turn another page. There are too many young men on the road referring to other older men as “Paps” or “Dad”, and they have their hands out fully expecting a “quick five” or a “slow ten”, and trying to stare you down for non-compliance.
We have to pray for our young men who find themselves between a rock and a hard place on the eve of this forty year celebration. Just as importantly we have to do what we can collectively for a substantial number of young men who are losing hope in this generation. Politicians who make such statements have to provide a historical perspective, or they will be seen as irresponsible, even though they think they “sound good”.
July 1, 2013
Whats missing in this country is accountability. No one is accountable for anything anymore. Sure no fathers has something to do with it but there is no accountability. Politicians are not held accountable for anything and they are the ones that have screwed this country over in more ways than one. Far too many people get off because of who they know and this is a very big problem and is the main reason why our crime problem is as out of control as it is. I don’t think there is a single government corporation that does not have a lot of people with their hand out somewhere to do what they are already being paid to do. I also believe we are way beyond repair and it will never change in the Bahamas.