Dad's
Delight: Another Father’s Day, Another Tie
Fathers
always seem to get second billing. Father's Day follows Mother's Day, and even
Children's Day, although no one takes Children's Day seriously except the
children. Mother's Day usually means breakfast in bed (a dubious honor),
flowers cards and gifts. Fathers, on their designated day, get ties; hideous
dated ties that store owners save up all year and then offer on sale to unsuspecting
children. Wives are apt to acknowledge their husbands fulfillment of fatherhood
by buying them tools to fix things around the house, then letting them to foot
the bill. 21th century fathers would much prefer a variety of I-gadgets.
If it
weren't for Mrs. John Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington fathers might still be
a forgotten entity. Dodd suggested venerating fathers to Rev. Conrad Bluhm, president
of the Spokane Ministerial Association as a suitable tribute to her own father,
who, upon the death of his wife, successfully raised his children.
Her proposal
was approved by the Association; the first celebration took place on June 19,
1910 in Spokane. Although the rose is recognized today as the official flower
for Father's Day it was originally a lowly dandelion because “the more it is
trampled on, the more it grows.” This tongue-in-cheek suggestion reflected the inequality
of parenting. Motherhood was revered next to godhood; fatherhood, in this
respect, was compared to a common weed.
In 1911, the
observance of Father's Day in Chicago came as a novel idea. Jane Addams, the
famous social worker, approved the concept, saying “Poor father has been left
out in the cold . . . But regardless of his breadwinning proclivities it would
be a good thing if he had a day that would mean recognition of him.” Pres.
Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, expressed his approval of the idea as he wrote, “As I
have indicated heretofore, the widespread observance of this occasion is
calculated to establish more intimate relationships between fathers and their
children, and also to impress upon fathers the full measure of their
obligations.”
Fathers of the 21st century participate more in the daily care
of their children. In some instances it is voluntary, in others it is necessitated
by both parents working, causing the workload and pleasure of childrearing to
be shared. Feminist pressure has helped to release the male from stereotyped
thought and behavior, making nuclear families more cooperative than a monarchy.
Before there
was widespread observation of this holiday, different sectors of the country
celebrated independently in different ways, even different years. The tradition
eventually spread throughout most of the Americas and parts of Europe and Asia.
A general agreement was settled upon on June 16, 1946, more than 30 years after
Mrs. Dodds suggestion. Fathers finally got their day.
Both
Mother's Day and Father's Day have become “Hallmark Holidays’’ and while
florists and confectioners flourish on the second Sunday in May, haberdasher's
profit on the third Sunday in June. Commercialism aside, it seems right and
fitting that, on at least one day of the year fathers receive recognition and
tribute from the children who bear their names, their legacies and their love.
And what father can use another tie?
“Father! To
God himself we could not give a holier name”— William Wordsworth
Interesting information on Father's Day. I sell alliums for Father's Day. The men seem to like to receive a large ball flower.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I should go on-line sometime today and order Hubby is upgrades for his GPS. Thanks for the reminder.
Wow, never heard of that.Thanks for stopping by--th eonly one!
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Micki,
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot of history about Father's Day that I was completely unaware of, so I thank you from my heart for this informative article. I too tend to think that Father's Day has somehow or another gotten lost. In today's society where many females think that a child doesn't really need to have a father, I feel it is important to stress the significance of a home that includes a father.
once again, thank you. I enjoyed reading it.
Ciao,
Patricia
I just read this morning that Father's Day was made an official day in 1954 by Richard Nixon. Hopefully that's the truth. Anyway, when I was a little girl I used to give my dad a kitten every father's day. I figured it was a good gift, and since it was a gift, he couldn't return it or tell me to take it back. We ended up with 14 grown cats! ;-}
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat, I always appreciate your veiwpoint.
ReplyDeleteLove, Micki
Carole, good catch, I should have put that in but this story is about ten years old and apparently my research didn't go that deep or for space, I took it out when I shortened it.
In Switzerland Father's Day isn't celebrated. Even though I loved my Dad more than anyone else I never really gave it a second thought why Moms have her day but Dads don't.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad has passed away a little more than 16 years ago. And no matter what happens, I'll always carry him in my heart. He's been the most wonderful Dad on Earth!!
Wonderful post, Ranni. Yet Ireland does celebrate father's day so go figure.
ReplyDelete