JIS Father's Day broadcast highlights manhood, active fatherhood and family memories

Jamaica observed Father's Day on June 21 with a Jamaica Information Service broadcast that explored what strong manhood and present fatherhood mean in local society, paired with personal stories from families across the island.

Allan Carter, senior quality management officer at the Ministry of Health and Wellness and co-chairman of the Men's Coalition Committee at the Jamaica Civil Service Association, said that in Jamaica, being seen as a man is often tied to paying bills and making things happen. He added that leadership, discipline, consistency, and bringing order to families and communities are equally essential parts of mature manhood.

Carter described becoming a man as a process that starts when someone accepts that no one else will take charge of their life. Drawing on his father and grandfather, he urged young men to watch and learn from the men around them, stay open to guidance, and build a relationship with themselves and with God to navigate life and relationships responsibly.

He said many men today feel demotivated and are stepping back from active roles in society, a trend he warned could leave communities less protected. While both men and women are needed in balance, he argued that men must take personal responsibility for reconnecting with themselves and re-engaging.

On fatherhood, Carter defined the role as protector, provider, and presider. Financial support matters, he said, but so does shaping the environment where a child grows. Fathers should be present in daily home life, he stressed, because children need steady guidance, security, and problem-solving support that occasional visits cannot replace.

Among the qualities he highlighted were consistency, discipline, integrity, accountability, and time management. He also encouraged fathers to play with their children while maintaining balanced, modern parenting.

The programme featured children and fathers sharing treasured memories. Terrence Hamilton spoke of the joy of hearing his child call him "Daddy." Kaydian Lloyd Knight recalled shopping trips with her father, Claude Knight, and dancing at his sixtieth birthday party. Alicia Miller remembered laughter with her father, Henry Miller, during a difficult drive through Sligoville after flooding forced them off the main route and their car hit a deep pothole. Other contributors reflected on fishing trips, bedtime routines, lessons about trust, and the lasting weight of time spent together.

Father's Day greetings were extended to fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and father figures across Jamaica and the diaspora.