Crab season in
The Bahamas are during the months of June to
October. Usually during the months of June the crawling crabs of the Bahamas will be seen trapped in
wooden cages and wire baskets along the busy streets of Nassau. It will be crab
selling time. I cannot
help but notice that the peak of the crab-selling period
comes in June around Fathers Day each year. Before Fathers Day is Mothers Day in
May each year. Usually, the streets
were lined with small tents housing teddy bears, gift baskets of perfume, wine,
and other attractive souvenirs. What
a contrast! Mothers are honored with sweet-smelling, attractive gifts, while
fathers are acknowledged with ugly, smelly crabs. I am trying to point out the
obvious - the absence of flowers and gifts on Fathers Day on Bahamian streets.
I am in no way trying to stop the crab sellers from lining the streets on
Fathers Day. However, I am concerned about the little appreciation we show to
our wonderful Fathers. The days before Mothers Day and during Mothers Day there
are eager sons and daughters buying gifts for their mothers. It is now time that
we let the teddy bears and flowers line the streets the same way for our Father’s
Day too.
I have been writing about this subject for the past four years. I cannot help
it because the way we are treating our fathers seems so cold and indifferent.
Our fathers deserve more. Maybe part of the problem is our fathers themselves.
Too long have our Bahamian men thought that nurturing and caring is a woman’s
job. Flowers and teddy bears, they say, are for women. Therefore, some
traditions and legislation favor women and demean men. Now men are crying out
injustice. Who made the laws in the past? Who usually shun the flowers and teddy
bears? The answer to both questions is men themselves. We must change that. If
we do not give them teddy bears, then give them something else meaningful to
them.
Our boys and girls need their fathers. Children need both mother and father
to be raised in a balanced and healthy atmosphere. When we highlight the mothers
and ignore the fathers we down play the equally serious role Fathers plays in
the lives of their children.
Why must we give the crab vendors competition on Father’s Day? Because
there are many Bahamian fathers who are dedicated, caring, nurturing fathers.
They are active in their children’s lives and are setting a positive example
to the community.
Dear readers, on this upcoming Father’s day, please let’s encourage our
fathers by showing them how much we care for them, not with crabs but with
flowers, perfume, teddy bears, etc. Tell your fathers "I Love you" on
Father’s day. He is dying to hear those words. I hope next year I would not
have to remind us again that Father’s day is not just for crabs, instead it’s
for fathers.
UPDATE JUNE 2023: Today I am seeing more
flowers and teddy bears under tents on the
road side to help people celebrate Fathers Day.
Barrington H. Brennen is a
marriage and family therapist.
question@soencouragement.org or call 1-242-327-1980
