Father’s Day: A Celebration Still Catching Up
Father’s Day is just around the corner, yet research from the Huffington Post suggests mothers are valued at $8 billion more than fathers when it comes to spending on their respective Hallmark holidays. Mother’s Day takes the metaphorical cake, leaving fathers with just a handful of leftover crumbs.
The celebration of Father’s Day didn’t even exist until 58 years after Mother’s Day. The first Father’s Day was observed in 1906 in Spokane, Washington, to honor over 360 fathers who perished in a coal mining accident. However, it wasn’t until 1972 that Father’s Day became an official holiday, largely because society didn’t attribute the same sentimental value to fathers as to mothers. Historically, fathers were the primary breadwinners while mothers typically managed the home. Despite the feminist movement, women as caretakers have long been granted a near-goddess status. While many women feel taken for granted in the home, today many fathers work 65-hour weeks and strive to meet their partners’ expectations by helping with housework and child-rearing.
Shifting Perspectives on Fatherhood
Despite these efforts, Father’s Day celebrations and gift-giving still lag behind Mother’s Day. According to the Greeting Card Industry, 40 million fewer cards are sold for Father’s Day compared to Mother’s Day. Perhaps fathers are more forgiving about receiving lavish gifts or cards, or maybe they place less pressure on their families to show appreciation. In today’s era of involved fatherhood, it’s surprising that Father’s Day doesn’t carry the same emphasis as Mother’s Day.
Research from the Labor Department and the National Retail Federation credits mothers with over 40 hours of weekly childcare, while fathers are often credited with none, as many spend their time working outside the home. Pregnancy and childbirth are remarkable feats that strengthen the maternal bond, deserving recognition. As the saying goes, “A mother can bring you into this world, and she can take you out.” However, fathers play a significant role in bringing children into the world, too. Nature dictates that women carry babies across species, but men shouldn’t be shamed or denied celebration for not bearing children.
There is good news, though. According to Forbes Magazine in 2012, despite economic challenges, the spending gap between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day was narrowing. The difference in spending between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day had closed to about $30, with consumers spending an average of $163 on moms and $130 on dads.
Today, parents should be honored equally. Yes, there are deadbeat dads who get a bad rap, but there are also an increasing number of deadbeat moms. More men are gaining full or joint custody of children during divorces, a rarity in North American courts just a decade ago. Additionally, over 46 million stay-at-home fathers now exist in households where mothers are the primary earners—a scenario once considered unthinkable.
As fathers earn recognition as quality parents, Father’s Day celebrations may eventually catch up to Mother’s Day. Or perhaps they won’t. Maybe modern fathers aren’t as high-maintenance, finding less emotional significance in Hallmark cards, roses, or novelty ties. Perhaps dads who spend quality time with their children and are finally seen as valuable parents are content with that alone. As we move beyond traditional gender roles and encourage fathers to be active in child-rearing, they not only provide daily gifts to their families but also earn a special day to be spoiled and valued, just like mothers. Alternatively, we could revive the 1920s movement to replace both holidays with a unified Parents’ Day!
