Father loses his position as head of Black British Family

THE COLLAPSE of the British Black Family is undoubtedly, in my opinion, the cause of all the social ills facing the Afro-Caribbean community. Regrettably, this malaise has deepened over the last 20 years with no prospect of improving in the future.

More than half of black children are now born out of wedlock and this statistic will increase during the next decade. In this period poverty, crime, health and disadvantage linked with family collapse have marched side by side with one another.

The trend away from traditional child-rearing patterns in Europe has increased since the 1980s. But there is a world of difference between illegitimacy in the suburbs of Stockholm and Paris compared to the urban working class areas where Black Britons reside. In many European countries there is a blurring of the distinction between cohabitation and marriage, whilst in Britain, and particularly among Afro-Caribbeans, it is more closely tied to being brought up in a single parent family, and the consequent continuing poverty and disadvantage.

Black children growing up without fathers face severe social consequences. Over 50% of all Black people living in poverty are single mothers and their children. Two-thirds of these black children who have no genuine relationship or contact with their father later become dependent on welfare at some point in their lives. Illegitimacy, viewed as an aberration within the black community in the first wave of mass immigration to Britain in the 1950s, has now become the norm.

I think the high black unemployment rate has reduced the pool of marriageable black men. Black single mothers are much more likely to bring up their children with the help of grandmothers and other female relatives. Black fathers escape lightly with very few helping out financially, let alone giving emotional support or acting as a decent role model for their off-spring.

I would argue that a contributing factor regarding the decline of the British black family is welfare benefits. Undeniably, welfare has replaced the black father. One suggestion to overcome welfare dependency is that black mothers who refuse to identify feckless fathers have sanctions imposed regards to welfare handouts.

I would also add that we need more financial support for black two-parent families. One-parent family should not be seen as an alternative as all the evidence shows that black families without fathers is not only bad for children (especially boys) but society in general.

Phuket Diary - Wednesday 7 July 2010

Paul the psychic otopus has predicted a spanish victory against the Germans in tonight's World Cup Semi-final. I am hoping Paul is wrong but I would not be that melechonly if Spain went on to be victorious.

I viewed the match that at the Shipwreck Bar my preferred bar in Phuket

Phuket Diary - Tuesday 6 July 2010

I now have a routine; up at 10am, dress, have a gargantuan breakfast covering the culinary delights across the globe, return to room, have a tsunami of a dump; shower and off to the newly discovered jetty.

Another unique thing about the Amari Resort is that it has this amazing jetty. I suppose an equivalent in England would be Brighton or Blackpool Pier (but obviously smaller). I spend my days here rather than around the swimming pools. Its quieter with fewer people. Women who sunbathe at the jetty tend to be less inhibited and go topless. This would certainly be frowned upon at the two main swimming pools where children are gathered.

I maybe on holiday but I do watch a lot of television. I have particular fondness for the BBC World Service. It is a Home from Home for me. I like to know whats going on in my "Yard" whilst I am abroad. A small criticism of the resort is that for a modern complex they do not have flat screen televisions and the choice of English channels are limited. More sports channels would not go a miss as well.

Tonight is the Netherlands versus Uruguay semi final of the world cup. All the world cup knockout matches in Thailand start at 1.30am which is great, as I can party before the game and party even harder afterwards. It was a good game to watch with the Dutch deserved winners. To celebrate the Netherlands victory I returned to Hollywood nightclub, this time determined not to pick up any female companions especially if they had their own motorbikes.

I strutted my funky stuff (as only someone of my age could do) to the hard core R n B soundtracks. I think my innate natural rhythm prove to be a flame that attracted many moths. However, I simply said I was married with several children. It also helped that I mentioned that I had only 100 bahts in my pocket (less than 3 pounds sterling) which really did the trick.

I made my way home dismissing the numerous offers for a taxi or tuk tuk. The security guards at the hotel must think I am bit of a ladies man particularly after last night's events with "M". The guards smile when they see me and say 'girlfriend' repeatedly. I respond with a stern No. It could be worse the guards could shout out 'Ladyboy' instead.

The Phuket Diary - Monday 5th July 2010

One of the many plus points of Amari is that it has its own small private beach used only by the hotel guests. Fortunately, my room leads onto this small strip of sand. I do find it a privilege that I have more or less my own stretch of beach to play on. I feel like Michael Winner.

If you are in Thailand you are going to have some form of spa treatment. I looked at the spa treatments that Amari have to offer. No question they are very good but are phenomenally expensive compared to what you can find beyond the hotel, which just as good. Equally, the laundry service that the hotel offers starts at 1,500 baht (nearly 20 pounds) whereas the laundry services outside the complex commences at 50 baht. That is one hell of a difference. I was not in the least surprise that most guests at the hotel use the local laundry services. With a little extra they actually iron as well.

At midnight I made my way to Bangla Road and into a nightclub called Hollywood. Again like all western men I was accosted by several beautiful Thai women who wanted to show me a good time. As a man you are extremely flattered by the attention as I know that I am no Denzil Washington. It is hard for any man not to fall for the charms of a local, especially when she is sliding her nubile, lithe young body up and down her genitals. You'll need to drink a tonne of bromide to resist.

I was cavorting with a girl called 'M'. Her Thai name was too difficult to pronounce. She was 22, petite and beautiful. At the end of the night she took me back to my hotel on her motorbike - Christ I thought we were going to crash - her driving was so erratic.

As we pulled up to the hotel I decided that this wasn't for me. In truth I am actually very prudish. I would never do this if I was in England so why lower my morals just because I am in a foreign country, even if every other red-face Englishman is getting is rocks off.

'M' was disappointed that I had a change of heart. She even reduced her fee and promised some "back-door action" if I was into that. I held to my guns and wished her a good night. I returned to my room happy in the knowledge that I did not succumb to the beast inside me. I thought that if I can resist 'M' I can resist anything - I can move mountains. I slept soundly after cracking one off (all men have to satisfy thier needs somehow).