Parenting Commission announces ‘Men Who Mentor’ initiative

The National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), an agency of the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY), has announced its latest initiative aimed at promoting fatherhood and enhancing effective parenting practices across Jamaica.

The ‘Men Who Mentor’ campaign is set to kick off with an empowerment meeting on June 12, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston, beginning at 9:30am.            

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the NPSC, Kaysia Kerr revealed  that the ‘Men Who Mentor’ initiative is a pivotal step in the NPSC’s overarching mission to foster positive parenting dynamics within Jamaican households.                 

“We recognise the vital role of fathers in child development and family stability. The campaign seeks to engage men from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to become effective mentors and fathers,” she said.    

Kerr noted that approximately 100 men, some of whom are already enrolled in the NPSC’s Parent Mentorship Programme, will participate in this event, adding that “the intention is to build their capacities, through training modules, in effective parenting to improve their own parenting skills as they provide mentorship to prospective fathers (teenage boys)”.                                                    

Data gathered by the NPSC indicate that many Jamaican men express a preference for training and engagement led by fellow men, perceiving such interactions as non-threatening and more conducive to learning.

This preference stems from a widespread belief that sessions led by women can sometimes be perceived as demoralising or confrontational, particularly in households where men are less involved in parenting responsibilities.    

“With a significant number of Jamaican households being led by single-parent women and a concerning trend of fatherlessness among young men, the NPSC aims to address these challenges by empowering men to take an active role in mentorship and parenting.

“By providing support and encouragement to fathers, the initiative seeks to mitigate the risk of young men being drawn into gangs and other negative influences,” Kerr explained.    

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