Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

We live in a culture where the measure of the man is in the number of children he is able to sire, and where the man who fathers a 'multitude' is held in high esteem by his peers.

'Worms', a young father of two, with a broad grin, openly declared recently, "I am a breeder!" He is a classic case of the Jamaican man who believes he must "multiply and fill the earth". He went further by saying he would be a sperm donor for some of his friends who, in their 30s, are yet to get a taste of fatherhood.

Sadly though, a significant number of men are unable to biologically father any children, and the social stigma attached to these males is having a devastating psychological impact.

Important and significant

Danny James, at 44, does not know for sure whether he is infertile, but he has failed in his efforts to impregnate his partner. He has faced the brunt of ridicule from friends, associates and colleagues. It used to bother him, but not anymore. An older brother of his is in the same predicament.

Because of the sensitive nature of the situation, the macho Jamaican man, who knows or suspects he's infertile does not discuss the matter, and so it is difficult to gauge his thoughts.

"From research done by Professor Anderson, myself and Mrs. Janet Brown, we found that having a child was an important and significant pillow on which men construct their sense of self", says noted anthropologist, Professor Emeritus Barry Chevannes.