Belated Happy Mother's Day and Father's Day!

I know it's too late to post something for Mother's Day or Father's Day but I'm posting anyway because I'm always reminded how patriarchal and masculine the Japanese society can be and I cannot get away the thought of not posting it.

Two Sundays ago, it was the Father's Day and I supposed it was well commemorated in many countries, including Japan. Unfortunately though, it was a day that wasn't really a big deal for many, not so much when they talk about Mother's Day.

When I ask students about the usual presents for mothers on Mother's Day, they have many things to share. From carnations, which is the usual flower for mothers on Mother's Day, to jewelry and things that mothers want to get. And when I ask students about the usual present for fathers on Father's Day, they don't really give a unanimous answer.

One student--a Father--somehow said that the Japanese commemorate the Mother's Day more than the Father's Day because children are always with their mothers at home. The fathers are always out of the house for work and go home late at night. Fathers do not really bond with the children. So Mother's Day is more important and well remembered. He also added that he did not receive any presents from his children or his wife but that's okay. (Our lesson was in the afternoon. I was quite reassuring him that it's not yet too late to get a present. :D )

Japanese society is evidently a patriarchal and masculine society but the matriarchs dominate the homes. Mother's Day in Japan bear witness to how strong women can be, though they are still flourishing in other fields. And if Japanese women are given more chance to thrive, they might do a better job than men. Don't you think so?

Well, anywhere in the world, mothers and fathers alike are important. But like what our pastor at church said, "A home can live without a father but a home cannot live without a mother."

Belated Happy Mother's Day and Father's Day!