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UPDATE: Young fathers committed to breaking cycle of absenteeism

-next meeting scheduled for October 30; age barrier lifted
M.A.L.E. mentors McKenzie L. K. Baltimore and Henderson K. Tittle interact with young fathers last evening October 2, 2015. Photo: VINO
Some of the young fathers during the forum. Photo: VINO
Some of the young fathers during the forum. Photo: VINO
A young father makes a point. Photo: VINO
A young father makes a point. Photo: VINO
President of M.A.L.E. Pastor Henderson K. Tittle said the aim of the forum is to reach out to younger men in the community who are fathers. Photo: Provided
President of M.A.L.E. Pastor Henderson K. Tittle said the aim of the forum is to reach out to younger men in the community who are fathers. Photo: Provided
Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (M.A.L.E.) will tomorrow evening October 2, 2015 hold a forum for young fathers aged between 17 and 34 to brainstorm some of the issues that affect them and possible solutions. Photo: Provided
Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (M.A.L.E.) will tomorrow evening October 2, 2015 hold a forum for young fathers aged between 17 and 34 to brainstorm some of the issues that affect them and possible solutions. Photo: Provided
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - It was a candid and open discussion among young and relatively young fathers who last evening, October 2, 2015, on the rooftop of the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom shared their experiences regarding fatherhood with a view to breaking the cycle of absent fathers.

Led by Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (M.A.L.E) President Henderson K. Tittle, the discussion was a free flowing one which saw participants opening up in a way men tend not to, with the overriding factor being the importance of fathers in the lives of their children.

They shared stories of how they longed for their fathers in their lives and even for some time harboured feelings of ill will towards their fathers to the point of wanting to physically hurt them.

Others shared stories of being ill-treated by their fathers and how easy it was to mirror that behaviour in the lives of their own children.

Yet another participant told the gathering of fathers that he used to make up stories about his father to share with his friends in primary school, just so that he could be able to participate in conversations about fathers.

So wide ranging was the discussion that it touched on what were some of the best ways to relate to children.

"We don't want to be a bully neither do we want to be a buddy...there must be a balance struck where we are able to relate with some measure of parental authority while at the same time maintaining an atmosphere of openness so that children won't be hesitant to approach us," said Tittle.

He said that it is important to be able to discuss matters such as intimacy and sex so that children are comfortable discussing such issues with parents instead of going elsewhere.

Early in the forum the definition of fatherhood was discussed. This proved to be a thought provoking exercise which lead to person examining themselves to see whether they lived up to the definitions proffered.

Even the issue of substance and drug use came up and the question was thrown out whether a father is a hypocrite for doing things that he would not allow his children to do. To this there were different views and one participant held the view that it wasn't hypocrisy but more of an issue of age restriction where it is not alright for a child to engage in activities such as smoking or drinking when it is alright for a grown person to.

It was decided at the forum that the next such session will be on October 30, 2015 on the rooftop of the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom.

With the 17 to 34 age limit being lifted, the forum is inviting all fathers, young and young at heart, to be a part of the next session in what was proven to be a non-religious, non-judgemental open atmosphere.

See previous article published on October 1, 2015:

'Fatherhood is more than just sex & making a baby'- Henderson K. Tittle
- M.A.L.E. to hold young fathers' forum aimed at changing the next generation
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere (M.A.L.E.) will tomorrow evening October 2, 2015 hold a forum for young fathers aged between 17 and 34 to brainstorm some of the issues that affect them and possible solutions.

The forum, aimed at changing the next generation, will be held on the rooftop of the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom and will commence at 7:30 pm.

President of M.A.L.E. Pastor Henderson K. Tittle explained the purpose behind the forum.

"This is something new. It is a M.A.L.E. initiative. We just want to reach the fathers so we will have what we call a Rooftop Affair with all the fathers between the ages of 17 and 34," he said.

"Basically what we will be doing is putting our heads together so that we can put together suggestions and ideas so we can help the younger men in the community who are fathers," he said.

He said that much of the problem might stem from lack of fathers in the lives of these young men.

"We realise that some of these young men were never fathered so they never really got the teaching of what it means to be a father. We have realised that fatherhood is a mission...it is a job. It is more than just having sex and making a baby," he said. "It is a responsibility and one that we must live up to," he said.

"No one ever taught us so we are learning as we go along. So we decided to come together so that we can help each other along the path," he said.

12 Responses to “UPDATE: Young fathers committed to breaking cycle of absenteeism ”

  • ccc (01/10/2015, 15:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good points in these times
  • my yute (01/10/2015, 21:20) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    WE NEED TO SEE SOME STATS ON HOW MUCH YOUNG BOYS THIS PROGRAMMEE HAS SAVED
    • sk**t (03/10/2015, 11:33) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

      it just start.... @$$

    • what ?! (03/10/2015, 19:31) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      U are an @$$ that is a dumb comment. What are u doing ? I am sure its nothing ....
    • wize up (06/10/2015, 11:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ my yute; I agree with you a vast number of these organizations offer mostly talk: the time for talking is over, one can not pay bill with talk our youth need job opertunainty: when most of these 2-hours talk sessions are over, what then.....
  • wize up (01/10/2015, 23:08) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    talk talk; our young men needs more than just talk or good social programs: the youth needs more economic opportunities: these talk-shops are just words, teach them jobs skills, less talk and more action
    • confused (04/10/2015, 04:31) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      No offence but was this comment meant for this article? If so, how does the provision of more economic opportunities,by itself, help curve the matter of absenteeism? I am sure that statistics would reveal that most absent fathers are sufficiently employed to take care of their children financially but refuse to do so out of pure selfishness. The greater need however is not even that of finance but of just being there. One does not need more economic opportunity to do so. The lack of proper understanding is so sad.
  • single parent (02/10/2015, 10:24) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    And if the brainstorming doesn't work, throw them over the railing from up there! maybe, just maybe, when they hit the ground, they will get common sense!
  • try positivity (03/10/2015, 09:23) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am truly surprised at all the negative comments, though i guess I shouldn't be. I think this is an excellent and commendable undertaking by MALE and if it helps even 1 man be a better parent then it is worthwhile. MALE is not the government "wize up", and cannot provide economic opportunities. They are doing what they can. Are you?

    Continue the good work MALE and Henderson Tittle.
  • Yes (03/10/2015, 11:24) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Look like fathers was absent from that meeting, LOL that's just crazy. Cursing and fighting at Save the Seed loaded, real great cause and no one. Doesn't make sense.
  • father (04/10/2015, 08:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    All father's should be Involved what ever age come to VG for some HELP !!
  • rewrsdffds (04/10/2015, 14:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good effort, Minister Tittle, very much needed, and I'm pleased to see the young participating and being open and honest about their views.
    People may underestimate the importance of upbringing, but it's obvious, that if a child is not trained in the right way, he (or she, for that matter), will not be able to properly train a child.
    It's interesting to note that one guy says he don't think its hypocrisy to do drugs or drink while telling his kids not to do so. Even if the child is restricted at a young age, when he gets older he will still want to do it, because he saw daddy doing it, and by then no one will be able to stop him. It is best to let your children see you doing positive things, and reinforce it with telling them what is right and wrong, and why its right or wrong.
    But keep up the good work, its a good start and hopefully the spiritual aspects of living a godly life will be introduced
    because there is no will power strong enough to do right without the help of God. Man's natural nature is to follow the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, and even with the best intention, people fail in their own strength. So show them the scriptures that guides godly parenting, and godly lifestyle, and God will bless you more for sharing the Word.


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