Fathers deserve a special salute for all they do

[fgoodwin]

Fathers deserve a special salute for all they do

 

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/06/17/opinion/doc4675cd32b9bbf793658538.txt

http://tinyurl.com/2gq4t5

 

Sunday, June 17, 2007 7:18 PM CDT

By the Pantagraph Editorial Board

 

Fathers dont always get the respect they deserve and we dont just mean children ignoring their pleas to take out the garbage or mow the lawn.

 

On television and in the movies today, the theme seems to be Father Knows Nothing rather than Father Knows Best.

 

Instead of Ward Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver, we have Homer in The Simpsons.

 

A larger percentage of Fathers Day greeting cards lean toward humor rather than the sentimental variety more often seen on Mothers Day.

 

But thats OK. Fathers, in general, have a sense of humor about such things.

 

Besides, its easier to outshine Homer Simpson than the idealized physician/father Cliff Huxtable of the old Bill Cosby Show.

 

Fathers Day is of relatively recent vintage.

 

The first official Fathers Day is considered to be the one commemorated in 1910 in Washington State.

 

Now celebrated in countries around the globe mostly in June, although the date varies the third Sunday in June wasnt permanently established as Fathers Day in the United States until 1972.

 

Its worth noting that the idea for Fathers Day came from a woman who was reared by a single father.

 

Sonora Dodds mother died in childbirth and her father took on the tasks of mother and father for Sonora and her five siblings.

 

While listening to a Mothers Day sermon, she decided there should be a day set aside to recognize the contributions and sacrifices that fathers make for their children.

 

She was able to get the governor of her home state of Washington to agree in 1910.

 

There had been earlier celebrations of fatherhood, but Dodd is credited with getting the ball rolling for an official, ultimately nationwide, commemoration.

 

Since then, many things have changed not only in the depiction of fathers in the entertainment media but also in society.

 

Many fathers today take a more active role in the nurturing side of parenting as reflected in the presence of diaper changing tables in some mens rooms.

 

Like mothers, fathers often have to juggle many different jobs.

 

Its often seems amazing that parents get any sleep from a childs birth until they graduate from high school between what parents have to do and what they have to worry about. Theres no quitting time with this job.

 

Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there. You have earned your special day.