People's National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna has appealed to the St George's College Old Boys' Association to make a greater effort to assist in changing the culture of cowardice she claims is currently affecting young male students.

Hanna, who represents the South East St Ann constituency, was guest speaker at the association's quarterly luncheon, which took place Thursday at the Police Officers' Club in the Corporate Area.

The former Miss World said she was concerned about the "self-imposed emasculation of Jamaican males" and cited the education system as a breeding ground for this phenomenon.

"For a variety of reasons, our young men in high schools are creating an inhospitable environment for their peers," Hanna said. "I am aware of the very worrying trend ... where those children who are responsive (and) attentive are often ridiculed by other boys in their schools and described as homosexuals, effeminate or otherwise, non-man."

Three main issues

Hanna identified three main issues in putting into context the emasculation of Jamaica's males, which she argued was not due to female dominance in positions of power.

She said the increase in fatherless homes has resulted in women becoming recognised as the breadwinners. Hanna also noted there has been a gender shift of power in the workplace and that, most significantly, there has been an erosion of time-honoured traditions in the search for instant gratification.

"In an effort to prevent or survive the peer pressure, many of our male students have chosen to reject the formal discipline of scholarly pursuit for the very easy way for being accepted," she said.

Emotional denial

Hanna continued: "The Jamaican man is not emasculated (by women), he is just spoilt and in emotional denial. Look at our schools, our education and how Jamaican women continue to dominate those environments."

She added: "Examiners now have to set the pass mark low for boys so that, in some instances, some of them may qualify because the girls have set a threshold to exams at a higher grade."

Hanna said that, in some instances, women outnumber men three to one in post-secondary enrolment in community colleges and universities.

In response, principal of St George's College, Margaret Campbell, acknowledged the contributions made by the Old Boys' Association through a voluntary mentorship programme at the school.

"The problems are in many of the homes, so help is not readily available," Campbell said. "Having them enjoy when the old boys come in, the students, regardless of age, when the old boys come in, they (students) are attentive, they are interested and want to know and I am hoping that they will feel guided."