Opposition Senator Shamfa Cudjoe has urged women in T&T not to belittle or emasculate men in front of their children. Cudjoe said the role of men was integral in and outside the home. In delivering her contribution to the Children's Bill in the Senate on Friday, Cudjoe admitted that T&T had adopted the "independent girl" culture from the USA and Jamaica which was taking us down the wrong path.
"I don't want to be a part of that. Don't get me wrong, when I say I don't want to be independent." Admitting that she respects women for the strides they have made and not depending solely on men over the years, Cudjoe said, to her, the independent girl movement was not cool or cute. "It gives the men the feeling that I don't need you."
Cudjoe said we need men to know that their roles are pivotal in every sphere. "While I support women going out there and making their money, please let the men know that we need them." Cudjoe said there was no replacement for a fancy car, a job and owning a home when a man is not around.
"Some women have gotten to the point of really emasculating men and belittling men to the point of being simply sperm donors and pleasure givers. It is the very truth. Okay, I will need you to have a child and after that you can go your way. Or I need you for pleasure purposes."
She said that some of T&T's women are noted for talking down to men in front of their children, which promotes disrespect within the family. Overall, Cudjoe said parents need to stand up and be responsible in their homes. She also many young citizens have become self-centred, which they have adopted from the lyrics of rapper 50 Cent's song Get Rich or Die Trying.
"Parents would not believe how they contribute to this kind of behaviour." Cudjoe said some children who never worked a day in their life, often boast that they would not wear an outfit twice, often sport the latest BlackBerrys, iPhones, iPads and had the most money to spend.
