Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector Colin Jordan is calling for serious mentorship programmes for Barbadian young men as males face a perceived crisis throughout the island.
He made this appeal during remarks at the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Wesleyan Men’s Convention at Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort in St Philip on Thursday night.
Speaking to the backdrop of the theme Godly Men, Good Family, Great Life, Jordan, who has responsibility for ecclesiastical affairs, said: “In some ways men are in crisis. There is this tension, tension meaning we are in a male-dominated society in spite of the fact that there are women in leadership in certain places; we are in a maledominated society but we still have men in crisis in some areas.”
He said there is a possibility of dysfunction if the tension is not managed well.
“Where we are suggests to me that dominance does not necessarily translate to effective participation . . . . It suggests to me that structural bias still does not mean satisfaction and fulfilment,” he said, adding that one does not have to wait on studies to determine a solution to the crisis.
Jordan, who is also a long-standing member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, told the audience that as Christians, they should ask the question: “What would Jesus do?” to resolve that crisis and that it was important to mingle and minister to people’s needs through mentorship as Jesus did.
“A church-goer who does not mentor is not a Christian . . . . Take the time, men, mentor a young man. Offer constructive advice. Be positive in your interactions with young men. It means your life has got to have some positive direction to it. Some value you are adding to society, community, family.
“So if we are to be role models, then there must be something about us that young men can aspire to; that they feel makes sense trying to reach. The Government is doing its part in the process,” he said, referring to the $4 million Faith-based Organisations Special Fund Grant Facility, an initiative designed to support programmes that empower young people and strengthen communities.
“Just this afternoon, the evaluation and monitoring committee met and they are working through a bit over 20 projects that have been submitted,” he said.
The convention, which ends tomorrow, will feature fellowship and worship sessions, and family and finance workshops. (JS)