Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

A leap year is the traditional time when a woman can propose to a man. But in Jamaica. Most women are hooked on ritual and refuse to make the first move where marriage is concerned. The year 2008 is a leap year, February having an extra day.

Twenty-seven-year-old Sara English is ready to get married to her partner of eight years, but says she would never propose to him.

Tradition

"I wouldn't do that, because the tradition is that men should propose to women," English says.

She notes that she also fears that if problems develop in the relationship, her partner would remind her that she was the one who pushed the agenda.

But Callette Amos says she wouldn't be afraid to propose.

"I know that he loves me and I feel the same way about him, I do not have a problem with that," Amos says.

Amos, a cosmetologist, says if the country is moving towards equality of the sexes, a woman taking the first step towards marriage should be no big deal.

Leroy McDougal says he welcomes the idea of his spouse popping the question.

Other life goals

He notes that while he is not ready to make the move because he had several other life goals outstanding, if his partner made the move, he would go for it.

"It would make me feel nice, so I would accept her proposal because that would show me that she really loves me," the 31-year-old barber says.

Twenty-six-year-old Atalia Barrett is currently engaged. Her partner made the first move. She says if he had not done it, she would not have asked him.

"I am from the old school and I think that it is his duty to ask," Barrett says.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com