How Did June Become The Celebration of Fathers?

How Did June Become a Celebration of Fathers?

story by Cynthia Ford

What does it mean to be fathered or to have a father?

Depending on who you are speaking with, the answer varies. Our world has become a part of a semicultural shift. From the beginning, all cultures have defined roles that belong to mothers and fathers. For the most part, many roles remain intact today. However, we are finding a cross-exchange between mothers and fathers and observing that they are participating in roles that are considered out of the ordinary. Fathers have traditionally been observed as the provider and protector for the family. The push to involve fathers more in nontraditional duties has caused a merging in the divide. Even with the merger, fathers are still celebrated less than mothers. The struggle to celebrate fathers on the same level as the celebration of mothers has been an uphill battle since its inception. Father’s Day did not become a national holiday until 58 years after Mother’s Day was announced as a national holiday. Surprisingly, it was a woman who initially ventured out to honor fathers. In the early 1900s, Sonora Smart Dodd took on the challenge after seeing the trend of mothers celebrated on Mother’s Day. She was sixteen years old when she lost her mother, who was giving birth to the sixth child. She honored her father and recognized that he had to pick up a dual role as a result of the death of his wife. Sonora assisted him in caring for her younger siblings before starting her own family. Mrs. Dodd was in her 90’s when President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a national holiday in 1972.

There is also a noticeable difference in the celebration of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with retail. People spend more on Mother’s Day gifts compared to gifts purchased for Father’s Day. The gifts for mothers appear to be more symbolic, and the gifts for fathers appear to be more functional. Usual gifts for fathers include things such as tools, fishing items, socks, shirts, or ties. This may be a contributing factor to the lessened enthusiasm for Father’s Day. With the weight of the world on their shoulders, fathers are expected to continue to stand tall and carry out all necessary duties. Mrs. Dodd did not seek another holiday to commercialize. In fact, she simply wanted to honor fathers. Taking away the commercialization from Father’s Day, who do we see as our fathers today. There is a rainbow of features that describes fathers as we know them today. My father was never really the type to call everyone to say I love you. That doesn’t mean he does not love his children. He may not know how to or chooses not to say it. However, the love is felt through every call and every action. It’s in the “Hey, what are you doing today” or the “Ok, I’ll catch you next time”. Even though all of his children are grown, he continues to stand as a protector against anything that confronts us. Everyone’s story about their father may vary. I would encourage us all to continue to lift our fathers up. It is okay to let fathers know that they are appreciated. Of course, there is a huge surge of issues as it relates to fathers who may be absent. With the assistance of fatherhood initiatives, there is an attempt to heal the divide. This process would include changing the way we think and changing the narrative. We don’t want to carry out the tune of absent fatherhood, but we want to explore why they’re absent. What is the story behind the story? What is the core of the problem? Let’s continue to start young, teaching our young men to be men and fathers. We are not here on our own accord. We are woven from the DNA of one father and one mother. To all fathers, thank you for being unwavering and supportive of your families. At the core of who you are as a man lies strength, ambition, and stamina. Our gestures to you may vary but know that you are indeed appreciated. To my father, I love you very much or in your words,

Father's Day did not become a national holiday until 58 years after Mother’s Day was announced as a national holiday. Surprisingly, it was a woman who initially ventured out to honor fathers.

Father's Day is June 21st Happy Father's Day from VIP Magazine!