KEETMANSHOOP - It is imperative that parents are actively involved in their children’s upbringing, education, and path toward becoming model citizens.
These were the views of respective governmental and other related stakeholders during a male engagement meeting that took place last month in Keetmanshoop.
According to chief community liaison officer in the gender ministry Selma Mwapopi, the purpose of the meeting was to engage men in their responsibility as fathers in a child’s life.
“Through this dialogue, the wish is that fathers will be able to share their views on the importance of a man’s involvement in a father-child relationship,” she said.
Mwapopi added that the meeting also explored how alcohol and drugs affect the lives of parents, the social well-being of their children, and how they contribute to gender-based violence.
Aldo du Preez, project officer in the //Kharas region for the Church Alliance for Orphans (Cafo), said they want to emphasise the father’s role for children transiting from early childhood development to the lower primary school level.
“Research carried out has shown a failing rate of 70% at grade one level which, amongst others, contributes to poor or absent parental involvement in the education process,” he said.
Du Preez further noted that it is only when both parents play an active role in terms of support, interest, and bonding in a child’s life that he or she will grow in a positive trajectory in all aspects of life, including education.
He said it has been proven that a child will most of the time imitate his or her father’s behaviour.
“If the father is abusing his wife, his son will most probably do the same when growing up. Alternatively, if the father is a role model, the kid will also be an exemplary citizen one day in his life,” said Du Preez.
Unam lecturer for educational psychology, Fred Sinalumbu said substance abuse inhibits a parent’s ability to function in their parental roles in terms of education, emotional support, bonding, advice, and discipline.
“Substance abuse tends to result in parents becoming abusive towards their spouses and children through verbal, physical and psychological forms of gender-based violence,” he said.
Sinalumbu further said substance abuse tends to drain parents’ financial pockets which consequently results in a lack of nutritious food and other basic needs needed in the household.
- sklukowski@nepc.com.na