Years ago I stayed in Boca Chica/San Pedro and ended up with several Dominican friends. One of those is a now 17 year old girl who just gave birth to her first kid. Her family is poor by any standard. We were buddies and now wants me to be the padrino of her son when I get down there in April.
In Dominican culture, what does it mean to be a padrino? What are the duties a padrino might reasonably expect? And unreasonably expect? How can one politely decline?
It's an honour and it's bloody cool to be asked but I'm reluctant to accept.
The family is poor and will always be needing a hand. Especially if one should consider the kid's nutrition, education etc. Also, I don't know the father of the kid and his family. I don't want a moral or legal responsability to get milked. I don't want the father and his family not try as hard because they believe there's a rich ( in reality broke ) gringo around, or spend the money on baseball caps and presidentes because the gringo can provide.
Am I harsh? I'm not a family guy and though you can kick a your own kid out when he's misbehaving or old enough.. As a padrino you might get stuck with the little bugger for life? Others haven't asked me to fulfill those duties for reasons that should be obvious by now so I'm a bit unsure how to respond.
In Dominican culture, what does it mean to be a padrino? What are the duties a padrino might reasonably expect? And unreasonably expect? How can one politely decline?
It's an honour and it's bloody cool to be asked but I'm reluctant to accept.
The family is poor and will always be needing a hand. Especially if one should consider the kid's nutrition, education etc. Also, I don't know the father of the kid and his family. I don't want a moral or legal responsability to get milked. I don't want the father and his family not try as hard because they believe there's a rich ( in reality broke ) gringo around, or spend the money on baseball caps and presidentes because the gringo can provide.
Am I harsh? I'm not a family guy and though you can kick a your own kid out when he's misbehaving or old enough.. As a padrino you might get stuck with the little bugger for life? Others haven't asked me to fulfill those duties for reasons that should be obvious by now so I'm a bit unsure how to respond.