Dads Who Do

Among African Caribbean children, 65% are looked after by a lone parent and 90% of these are mothers. The Tottenham MP David Lammy meets young fathers who are trying to buck the trend by playing a more active role in raising their children and asks why they think so many of their peers are walking away. The result is a moving and insightful exploration of the challenges facing young African Caribbean fathers.

Lammy's own father left when he was 12. I struggled with anger and self-doubt. It meant leaning heavily on other figures in the community to fill the great father-shaped hole in my life. He asks young dads how having an absent father affected them. I broke into a school and took some stuff,says Cameron. I had to get into trouble before I realised I don't want this. If my dad had been around I honestly believe I wouldn't have got into trouble and I would have done good in school.

Warren, 26, feels women are partly to blame: Girls are trapping guys to have babies, knowing the father won't play a major role. I got a text - I'm pregnant. I got a text nine months later - Your baby's born. I was having a lot of sex. I didn't pay no attention.

Lammy visits a parenting course for young fathers at St. Michael's Fellowship in South London. Shawn, a father of five who had his first son at 15, runs some of the courses I think dads feel pushed to the corner so they stay in the corner. Lots of people have a good heart, they just need guidance.

Produced by Kim Normanton.

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4.

Tottenham MP David Lammy meets African Caribbean fathers who are serious about parenting.

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