Responsible fathers needed to avert youth delinquency

By Angela Ambitho

A study of 39 countries indicated that fatherless children are more likely to drop out of school and commit violent crimes

He’s one of the greatest men I know. He’s not an astute politician or iconic businessman. He’s not a war hero or a famous writer. He’s not a reknowned athlete or a respected scholar. He’s not a revered preacher or a celebrated musician.  In fact, unless you were in Government before the 1990s you probably wouldn’t know him. But he is one of the greatest men I know. He’s not only my father, but the most loving and caring dad a daughter could ever have.

You see, there is a difference between being a father and a dad. While the two words technically mean the same thing, the fact is “anyone can be a father, but it takes someone truly special to be a dad.”  A father deludes himself into believing that by paying for food, rent and fees his job is done. His presence in your life is superficial and unreliable. He’s a defeatist quick to disappear at the first sight of trouble, leaving others to shamelessly shoulder his burdens.

A dad on the other hand is a rear gem. A man you respect for his uprightness, fear for his strictness, revere for his omniscience, adore for his stories and jokes, admire for his strength and depend on for guidance, support and unending love. He’s a super hero. In childhood, he not only provides the roof over your head but the safety and confidence that allows you to walk tall. He not only pays your fees, but follows up on your academic progress and reprimands you for poor performance. He not only buys the food, but ensures that he’s home in time for dinner and awake in time for breakfast.

A dad toughens you by allowing you to fall and helping you shake of the dust. He believes in you and teaches that in life, what matters is not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog. 

A dad moulds you to understand that a good reputation far outweighs millions in the bank. He’s quick to boast about your miniscule and mighty achievements. Undoubtedly, dads are a pivotal pillar of society.

Sadly however, the growth of the fatherless society is currently an eminent quagmire not only in Kenya but globally. Statistics paint a gloomy picture on the future of fatherless children; A study of 39 countries indicated that fatherless children are more likely to drop out of school, perform poorly, commit violent crimes, get teenage pregnancies, and abuse alcohol and drugs.

Another study by Columbia University researchers found that children from nuclear families who suffered a poor relationship with their fathers are 68 per cent more likely to abuse drugs compared to those in stable homes. It seems that whether the father is completely absent from home or just absent in marriage, his malpractices have grave consequences.

It was quite refreshing this past week to hear the president talk tough on the sale of alcohol and drugs to underage minors. At the onset, it’ll be imperative for Nacada to ascertain the linkages between adolescent delinquency and the family status, especially the relationship with fathers. My guess is that most of our underage kids who resort to substance abuse suffer from fatherlessness. Our children need fathers, grandfathers, uncles and father figures to mould and protect them.

As we commemorate Father’s Day, I hope that many of you have been as lucky as I to have a great dad. I pray that our men are striving to be even greater dads realising that “the father of a righteous child has great joy” Proverbs 23:24.  Finally, daddy, hoping you joy this Father’s Day and always!