The 111 Files: A father figure can be life-defining

Inspector Bruce Horne.

Male role models play vital role in helping our boys

On Sunday we celebrated Father's Day. Thirteen years ago I lost my father in tragic circumstances, but I am grateful for the years we had together and what he modelled for me.

Good role models are important. Studies have shown that when successful leaders are asked "Who was your most significant role model?" the most common response is a parent or parents, so I acknowledge that mothers are in the mix for this one too.

Some American research I came across a few years ago highlights the importance of positive male role models, particularly for boys.

In the USA, 85 per cent of youths in prison come from fatherless homes. Likewise, 85 per cent of all children with behavioural disorders come from fatherless homes.

Boys from fatherless homes also account for 80 per cent of young men receiving counselling for anger problems, 75 per cent of young men in drug rehabilitation centres, 71 per cent of boys that drop-out of high school and 63 per cent of youth suicides. All of which makes me so grateful for my Dad.

As an aside, two books that I found particularly insightful on the problem of absent fathers were written by men who lived through that experience and beat the odds to live successful, healthy lives; Father Fiction by Donald Miller and Fatherless Generation by John Sowers.

One more piece of related data to ponder. The New Zealand Victims of Crime survey provides a profile of the most victimised New Zealander: Female, Maori, solo parent living in a rented house in a low decile area.

When you join the dots on all of that research it becomes apparent there is a group of men in our community that need to take a long, hard look at themselves and start taking some responsibility for the people they are responsible for.

The unfortunate reality is that some never will, so it is encouraging to know that there are others in our community who are willing to step in and make a difference, such as the Big Brothers, Big Sisters mentoring programme. But they need help.

If you are looking for an opportunity to make a significant difference and potentially change the trajectory of the life of a young person, my colleague Inspector Ed van den Broek would love to hear from you.

Ed is part of the governance group for the Rotorua branch of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and they are always looking for good people who are willing to help with this important and life-changing work.

• Inspector Bruce Horne is the Rotorua police Area Commander.