In comparison, Mother's Day is highly celebrated internationally, mother's worldwide are expected to be doted upon with flowers, chocolates, manicures,pedicures, mimosas, cute greeting cards....should I go on?
As a Massage Therapist I've worked in the spa industry and I assure you, Mother's Day is a big deal, not to mention extremely busy for us. Anyone who absentmindedly forgets this day is in my prayers, and please don't be naive enough to fall for the "no, don't get me a thing" from your mom during this time of the year; believe me, it will be launched unexpectedly like a verbal grenade in some argument. However, as adored as our worthy mommies are during the month of May , its the month of June that I will highlight for some very special people as well; Dads.
Did you think Moms are the only ones that receive pedicures and massages during the year? Men are seeking these relaxing treatments year after year and not always for special occasions. As much I love to cater to the relaxation needs of mothers , being a man in today's society is no easy task. The temptation to abandon your home, to not be faithful to your wife and the lure of bachelorhood is a reality for many married men, almost on a daily basis. Integrity, nobility, courage and strong values are not something easily found on the menu when a man's character is sized up. In 2006 the U.S. Census recorded that there are 2.5 million single fathers! Currently 19% of those are single men that are living at home and caring for their children.
That's why this Father's Day, I'd like to pay tribute to the importance of fathers in our society and a warm "thank you" for those who have stuck it through. The reason I even state the phrase" stuck it through" is this; as my of us know most households sadly consist of single mom homes. As devastating as it is, the term "single mom" is a norm for us and has been for the past recent decades as more women struggle to find a balance between work and career.
We can thank companies such as Hallmark and their marketing teams for unique holidays that most people wouldn't think of celebrating; but Father's Day is actually an honorable holiday. In 1972 our former president Lyndon Johnson declared this holiday throughout America to be celebrated the third Sunday in June. The idea was originated from a woman (Sonora Dodd) in 1909 who wanted to honor her father, a veteran, who raised his six children on his own.
Aside from what statistics tell us, there are fathers out there who are either solely responsible for their children or have taken the role of marriage seriously and chosen to uphold the two parent home. In 1991 the Current Populations Report noted that there are a total of 2,907,000 custodial fathers in the United States. In an article written by Rebbecca O'Neill in 2002, she wrote the following, "
For the best part of thirty years we have been conducting a vast experiment with the family, and now the results are in: the decline of the two-parent, married-couple family has resulted in poverty, ill-health, educational failure, unhappiness, anti-social behaviour, isolation and social exclusion for thousands of women, men and children.
There are no doubt very unpredictable and unfortunate circumstances in life which lead some of us into an obligatory status of coming from a single parent home. But this Father's Day I hope you join me in celebrating those Dads which have made the effort to be with their children, to check report cards, pose for silly family photographs and tuck their children in to sleep. We are in need of more responsible Father's in today's era more than ever.In conclusion I want to thank all the fathers out there that have taken their role as husbands and fathers in a way most pleasing to God. I urge you to encourage the men around you this Father's Day and make them feel appreciated.
God wants the best for the men in our lives and although they may not always voice their stress, fatigue and weariness it is very present in their lives. Pray for these men, support them and believe in them.
Have an amazing Father's Day!
references: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/009879.html
http://fathersforlife.org/divorce/chldrndiv.htm
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