Nemo, Anemone, and When Daddy Turns Into Mommy

No Nemo: Anemones, Not Parents, Protect Clownfish -- "When the dominant female dies, the dominant male changes sex and becomes the dominant female. The females lay their eggs under or near the anemone and are tended to by the dominant male."

Early in the movie Nemo, the parents of Nemo are attacked, and the only ones who survive are the dad of Nemo and (of course) Nemo himself. Hmmm... does this mean Dad will turn into Mom?

In the Philippines, it's usually Mom who does all the "stuff" especially as far as raising the kids are concerned. When Mom's not around, then Dad will have to change diapers, mix milk, feed the baby, help with homework and... (this web site has limited space so I'll end the list here).

Maybe, in that sense, some Pinoy parents are like clownfish. Then again, in our matriarchal society, it's the eldest daughter who turns into a "Mom" for her brothers and sisters.

(Now if only I could find some anemone to provide the kids with round-the-clock protection.)
[ First posted on 06/24/2003 by Manuel Viloria ]