John E. Brandon said that the number of Bermudian households headed by women was 43 percent. What Rev. Brandon actually said was that the number has increased by 43 percent at the count of the last census.

Bermudian males were yesterday challenged to take up their positions as head of the household.

Speaking at the PLP's annual Father's Day Luncheon, Rev. Dr. John E. Brandon expressed his concern over the increasing number of families headed by females.

"I congratulate the PLP in their efforts in keeping before us the importance of the family through their Father's Day Luncheons over the years,'' he said.

"I want to challenge the men and families today, to focus on a re-emphasis, a return to, or the discovery of, the biblical, cultural and African family values we must embrace and implement if we are to function in today's society.'' Currently Pastor-in-Charge of Salem United Methodist Church in New York, Rev.

Brandon is a former pastor of several local AME churches and former president of Bermuda's Ministerial Association.

He told those assembled at St. Paul AME Centennial Hall that the 1991 Census showed that as many as 43 percent of all households in Bermuda were headed by women. And he said that without a marriage licence "many (men) have little to do with assuming responsibility for their children's development and well-being''.

But with a licence, he said: emotional security is provided for the women and the children.

the family benefits more during hard times with a father. Without a licence, males may leave under the slightest bit of provocation.

fathers have a legal claim on the children.

"Partners might have to endure some unpleasantness in relationships that they wouldn't have to endure if children weren't involved ... Men and fathers, the challenge is before us, we have to take our rightful place ... (create) a strong, caring stable community and hopeful future. No one else will do it for us.

"Fathers are the missing links in the lives of so many young children ...

Children function best in two-parent families.'' Describing the family as "the most fundamental unit of modern culture,'' Rev.

Brandon said without that structure, society becomes extinct.

"More than anything else in our society, the family unit is one thing taken for granted.'' Rev. Brandon said women functioning alone, were having "severe difficulties'' raising sons.

"This is not a condemnation against women,'' he said. "Facts suggest many are not successful. Facts also suggest it's insensitive to blame them . ..

left alone, it may be an impossible task.'' He said studies also show there are millions of men raised by single-moms who have made the transition to adulthood successfully but that key roles carefully structured to guide children are missing from society.

And he challenged fathers to "be loving and efficient husbands and fathers and pass on to your children positive, African values by emphasising and pushing progressive ideas by biblical and historical examples of our forefathers ...''