CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THIS week, we at Weekend Vibes decided to take a look at Fathers’ Day which is observed on the third Sunday in June. We asked Nevisians why they believe the occasion is not as high profile as Mothers’ Day.
Jeany – Because some fathers don’t take up their responsibilities and some of them are never there for the kids, but this could be inflated by some bad mothers. My husband is a very good father…he looks out for his kids instead of putting all the strain on me.
Cox – Because you have more single parents as women, so fathers will always be out- run no matter what. There are bad mothers and bad fathers, but if one is to choose a caretaker for his or her child, a mother would get first preference. Some mothers will leave their kids with aunts, uncles and grandparents before giving the father the opportunity. It starts from creation! We got to remember mother provides breast feed from birth so that’s where the connection starts. That’s why fathers always get the dirty end of the stick. By nature, women are more loving. I am a big man. If I go home with a slight cough my mom will be quick to make little bush tea, unlike dads. We fathers don’t support Fathers’ Day to the fullest but on Mothers’ Day we go to the end to make sure moms are happy.
Mr. Baret – It’s influenced by history. There are black men in countries whose fore-parents went through slavery, whereas Fathers’ Day is mostly celebrated in the white society. In the western Hemisphere, it has not been recognised because of economical reasons, sociological reasons and racial reasons. It is celebrated more in the US than in the Caribbean. Mothers’ Day is a significant head start in terms of celebration worldwide as a day of celebration compared to Fathers’ Day. It’s a big visible issue. A father contributes financially to the home, whereas a child would see mummy doing everything - cook, clean, wash, iron etc; then right there kids would want to know where is the help of daddy, not realising that he is helping financially.
Alsette – It’s just that the society have this negativity towards men because some of them don’t take up their responsibilities as fathers. There are good fathers out their but they end up turning worthless because of bad treatment from mothers.
Carmel – Because they bad and wicked they don’t look after their kids. Some of them do help with their kids, despite the circumstances.
