Camille Clarke

Children of single parents are six times more likely to be poor, says Edward
Clarke, dean of the School of Science at the University of the Southern Caribbean.

Clarke was speaking at the Positive Youth Development Project 2015 at the Sir
George Alleyne Building, Warner Street in St Augustine, on Monday.

He said research had revealed that the impact of absentee fathers was important be-
cause children who lived with only one parent were six times likely to be poor than
children who lived with both parents.

"In addition, some researchers found that children suffered more emotional, behav-
ioural and intellectual problems resulting in higher risk of dropping out of school,
and alcohol and drug abuse," he said.

Clarke said it was noted the absence of fathers in families had tremendous conse-
quences.

He said 60 per cent of the women incarcerated at the Golden Grove Prison and 60
per cent of boys at the Youth Training Centre were single mothers and had absen-
tee fathers, respectively.

He said the now defunct LifeSport programme was a success to the children who
visited the centres.

Clarke said the findings at three centres at La Horquetta, Mayaro and Malabar re-
vealed that under the programme the boys benefitted but over 60 per cent had ab-
sent fathers.

"This was important, all dropped out of school and were in some gangs or just
hanging out," he said.

Clarke said the boys learned to control anger, improve life and were thinking
which determined their life.

"It internalised the issues. They came there with an attitude and they said it made
them a better person, gave them certain changes with life by respecting others," he
said.

He said many of the boys went on to pursue employment, their education, skills
and training.

Gregory Sloane-Seale, programme co-ordinator of the Ministry of National Securi-

ty's Citizen Security Programme, said the youths were at risk.
"There are environmental, social and family conditions that hinder their personal
development in society and now there is a cyber society in our homes. Our children
are at risk and we need to elevate our consciousness," he said.

Sloane-Seale said youth-friendly spaces needed to be created, youth workers need-

ed to be available, go the extra mile, communicate and make the youths feel spe-
cial while being honest.