NO one would argue that without the father and the mother, the family does not exist in the first instance. Fathers are fundamental to the family unit. Therefore fatherhood is one of the cornerstones of a civilised society.

Father’s Day is a positive acknowledgment of the contribution that fathers do deliver in the development of their children.

Father’s Day also shows and positively reinforces the love fathers have for their children.

This can be seen in the following forms.

• Security

• Coaching

• Objectivity

• Giving views and attitudes to life

• Providing a fallback in times of hardship

• Giving a quality of life from a different perspective

• Offering children a sense of identity

• Providing a chance for children to develop mentally and physically to fulfil their potential to live in a diverse society

• Above all, being someone who can listen.

John Flanagan

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENTS’ PARTY