Day, as an opportunity to form closer bonds with their children.

In a statement released yesterday, the department pointed out that being a father was a gift. And it reminded fathers that the most important thing one could do for their child was to be their dad.

Realising that every family did not consist of two parents, the department urged fathers not to "divorce'' their children or cut off contact just because "there may be hard feelings between adults''.

The department also pointed out that there were more than half of the children growing up in Bermuda, in a fatherless home.

FAMILY FAM