Actos de los Padres... Sin Los Padres

I wrote this while sitting through the Actos de Padres at on of my schools called Piedras Largas. Today is Father’s Day in Nicaragua and like the United States it just doesn’t compare to Mother’s Day. Dad’s just are not known for warmth or intimacy and it is not returned in kind. Compared to other events it was put together at the last minute. I learned that this is the first year that schools are forced to do actos for Father’s Day and it will probably be the last. Not a single father showed up, most students were in attendance, but no dads. So we are doing the whole event with just the students. It is heartbreaking/pathetic at the same time. It seems to be analogous to how fathers here are absent for most of their child’s life and it is because of disinterest or work. I hate to stereotype, but most kids here were either deserted by their fathers or if they are present remain as nothing more than a foreboding figure that holds unprecedented authority in the house. For the most part fathers are not expected to partake in a child’s care and become alienated from their child’s life.

Since I have a negative streak going I might as well keep it going and let it all out. These “actos” are just us sitting around and watching two or three girls dance. The little boys are not encouraged to participate in any way. The girls do the same standard basic step to all the dances and wear clothes frugally. It is surprising to see 11-13 year old girls in skirts that only cover 1/3 or their thighs and a bra. I seem to be the only one surprised by this, but sadly I think the same happens in the States and it is known as school dances. Maybe I am just getting old, but I want to say that this doesn’t belong in school or at least cover up.

Not all communities are like this. IN Piedras Largas they are not giving out food because none of the families contribute and the teachers say it is bedlam when it is time to dispense any type of refreshment. On the other hand, one of my other communities has a very supportive base with parents that helped with our school garden and who bring food for all the students. In this community it is a tighter knit community where parents work together and support the school, sadly this usually is not the case.