BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –- AS the world celebrates Father’s Day today (Jun. 15), it is the view of some individuals that local business owners discriminate against fathers by not providing the same services and promotions as they normally do for women on Mother’s Day.
Speaking with SKNVibes Business in downtown Basseterre, a number of residents of St. Kitts stated that Fathers Day is not as popular as Mother’s Day because many men “do not stick around to play their role, so mothers would have dual responsibility”.
One popular food vendor told this agency that it is not a good business venture for companies to engage in because it is “not as profitable as Mothers Day”, and that it is due to cultural behaviour.
“One of the reasons why I believe that Father’s Day is not widely celebrated in the Federation is because, in the context of our culture, of what we grow up with and what we have seen. We grow up with mothers as the ones who are there for their children.”
She however quickly added that there are some fathers who would be around and play their role, but the majority of parental tasks are undertaken by mothers.
“There are some fathers who pull their weight yes; they go out to work and bring in the money but, ultimately, it is the mothers who play the integral role. There are so many things mommy do, especially in the early stages. I guess you also have the downside of it, for there are some mothers who also shirk their responsibility,” she noted.
The vendor is of the view that unlike previous years, children make decisions of their own because they have realised that only one parent is around, and to that parent they would show great respect.
“There are children who grow up realising what was done. This is not like before…a lot has changed! Children come out and say he did not support me so I don’t want to have anything to do with him. It is not like before when the community was the community, whereby children were raised to respect their elders.”
A mother of three stated that businesses would not recoup the amount of money they would put into Father’s Day promotions as they would for Mother’s.
“The amount of money they would make for Mother’s Day they don’t make it on Father’s Day. People put out more appreciation for mothers than they would for fathers; so the businesses realise that they do not get a big enough turnover on that day so they would cut back.”
She noted that many mothers in St. Kitts currently play a dual role in society and this is known by the business owners; therefore, they capitalise on Mother’s Day and place less emphasis on Father’s Day.
Another reiterated those sentiments but stated her appreciation for her father, noting that he is “a man who has been sticking around during the good and bad times”.
“Well, their children don’t really appreciate them because they don’t stick around as they are supposed to. However, my dad was there for me and I appreciate that,” she stated.
Noting how some men are viewed, she said: “They would sleep with you for some nights and when you tell them you are pregnant they run faster that Usain Bolt and the other one from Jamaica.”
Meanwhile, several men who spoke with this media house stated that businesses discriminate against them because the same promotions held for mothers are not done for fathers.
One of them claimed that fathers who stick around do not get the recognition they deserve and that equates to discrimination.
“Some fathers should be commended for sticking around and carrying out their tasks and responsibilities. They should be highlighted either by the church or some organisation in society for the contribution they make,” he opined.
However, several large entities had held Father’s Day promotions; some by giving discounts. But do you believe they discriminate against fathers?
