Published: Sunday, June 20, 2010
IN OUR VIEW / FATHER'S DAY
A salute to the modern dad
When Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane was pushing for a national Father’s Day 100 years ago, to complement Mother’s Day, her idea was met with “ridicule and derision,” and “mockery and hilarity.” (“Naysayer” not yet having taken hold in the American lexicon.)
A group of men suggested a national day of fishing would be more welcome.
Dodd, who was raised by her father after her mother died in childbirth with her sixth child, wanted to challenge stereotypes of the day that portrayed fathers as lazy drunkards — the Homer Simpsons of 1910.
Retailers were quick to embrace the idea, Congress less so. In 1913, a bill making the day official was introduced. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved the idea. But it wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation and set the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon made it law in 1972.
That’s one long road for a holiday, but it might be because a majority of fathers would still prefer a national day of fishing (or hobby-equivalent thereof). Dads have come a long way in our society, and they deserve our support and respect, not in small part because they would never insist on having a day in their honor.
While modern dads are (rightly) expected to do their share of housework and be an equal partner in child-rearing, our American culture expects them to do those things in addition to their traditional roles, and do it all with an easy “aw-shucks just-doing-my-job” shrug of the shoulders. New-age dads who know how to channel their inner spider-killer.
Modern women frequently contemplate the difficulties of balancing the challenges of motherhood and a career. Dads face the same dilemma but have fewer magazines and daytime talk shows devoted to them. We salute the dads who’ve embraced their ever-expanding parental role without interpreting it to mean that life is more difficult.
A certain fast food TV commercial has a good take on Dad’s World: A couple purchases a Happy Meal, then compete to carry the bag as they race through city streets to their apartment, so as to be the one to give it to their son.
The father wins, and breathlessly hands the bag to the boy. Who happily takes the meal, says “Thanks, Mom!” and rushes to her for a hug. And dad says “You’re welcome” to the air, knowing that’s the way it sometimes goes.
So do say thanks to dads and father figures. But with a dash of mockery and hilarity, so they know you’re sincere.
A group of men suggested a national day of fishing would be more welcome.
Dodd, who was raised by her father after her mother died in childbirth with her sixth child, wanted to challenge stereotypes of the day that portrayed fathers as lazy drunkards — the Homer Simpsons of 1910.
Retailers were quick to embrace the idea, Congress less so. In 1913, a bill making the day official was introduced. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson approved the idea. But it wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation and set the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon made it law in 1972.
That’s one long road for a holiday, but it might be because a majority of fathers would still prefer a national day of fishing (or hobby-equivalent thereof). Dads have come a long way in our society, and they deserve our support and respect, not in small part because they would never insist on having a day in their honor.
While modern dads are (rightly) expected to do their share of housework and be an equal partner in child-rearing, our American culture expects them to do those things in addition to their traditional roles, and do it all with an easy “aw-shucks just-doing-my-job” shrug of the shoulders. New-age dads who know how to channel their inner spider-killer.
Modern women frequently contemplate the difficulties of balancing the challenges of motherhood and a career. Dads face the same dilemma but have fewer magazines and daytime talk shows devoted to them. We salute the dads who’ve embraced their ever-expanding parental role without interpreting it to mean that life is more difficult.
A certain fast food TV commercial has a good take on Dad’s World: A couple purchases a Happy Meal, then compete to carry the bag as they race through city streets to their apartment, so as to be the one to give it to their son.
The father wins, and breathlessly hands the bag to the boy. Who happily takes the meal, says “Thanks, Mom!” and rushes to her for a hug. And dad says “You’re welcome” to the air, knowing that’s the way it sometimes goes.
So do say thanks to dads and father figures. But with a dash of mockery and hilarity, so they know you’re sincere.
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