Chairman of the Uniformed Youth Groups, Lieutenant Colonel Oral Khan has cited the absence of fathers or a strong male figure, as well as toxic masculinity traits, as some of the issues affecting parenting in Jamaica.

He made the comment while speaking at the launch ceremony for National Parent Month, which is being observed in November, under the theme “Re-ignite the village”.

He pointed to the findings of a recent survey on parenting in the country.

He said where fathers do exist and attempt to parent, they are sometimes affected by extreme criticism or toxic societal traits, which in turn, impact the behaviour of children.