Father's Day rooted in Spokane
Father's Day isn't just about dads and their kids. It's about paternal influences in any life, including non-familial relationships and even society itself.
Fatherhood has changed in the last quarter century, to put it mildly. Civilization has become more enlightened, allowing fathers to expand what they mean to all of us. Stay-at-home dads practically proliferated when the recession hit, many laid off (while perhaps moms weren't) and simply not returning to work outside the home, or at least not full-time and overtime, after discovering the benefits of more interaction with children. In a way, the last recession encouraged a paternal reformation already underway.
Gone are the days when Dad was distant and domineering, firmly focused on his career. "Family leave" has replaced the "maternity leave" mentality in workplaces. Family is no longer a gender-specific domain, but a group effort with shared responsibilities and joys. And it looks different from home to home; one mold no longer fits most.
"Father" can also simply be someone trusted and protective, whose guidance helps shape a life. He may be a spiritual father, such as a preacher or the moral influence at crucial times. Caring older brothers and cousins, friends, even neighbors - over long term or short term - these too can be positive paternal influences enriching lives.
The Inland Northwest can take credit: Father's Day originated at the Spokane YMCA with a celebration of dads on June 19, 1910, organized by Sonora Smart Dodd. Her dad, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children on a remote farm in eastern Washington.
Listening to a sermon on Mother's Day the previous year, Sonora thought fathers such as hers should be honored too. (Mr. Smart's birthday was in June.)
Her idea didn't catch on right away. In 1916 and after Dodd had gained support from retailers to promote gift ideas, President Wilson participated in a Spokane Father's Day celebration. Presidents Wilson and Coolidge both tried, and LBJ issued a proclamation in 1966, but Congress didn't buy the idea of federal recognition until 1972 when Nixon finally signed a bill making it the third Sunday in June.
Of course, evidence of the inclination to honor fathers existed long before the 20th century. These include descriptions of an ancient Babylonian carving made by a young boy wishing his father long life, and the Catholic tradition of honoring St. Joseph in March.
Father's Day is now celebrated around the world, mostly in June. The next most popular months are March and May. In China it's Aug. 8, or 8-8 which in Mandarin is said "ba-ba," the same word for father.
Some nations also celebrate the masculine influence of non-fathers on "International Men's Day," generally in November. In Germany Father's Day is celebrated on Ascencion Day in May; men and teenaged boys hike outdoors with a procession of beer-filled wagons, getting more raucous as day fades to night.
In Haiti, families celebrate with beach or mountain picnics. In Thailand it's about the people's putative father, the king. In Nepal, the focus is on worshipping male ancestors.
Whoever the father-figure and however celebrated, Sonora had the right idea. Here's to the special love of fathers, no matter what form they may take.
Sholeh Patrick is the very, very lucky wife of an outstanding father to four children and three grandchildren (and is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network - [email protected]). None of us would be who we are without you, Papi.