Often, contribution of a father in their children’s lives is overshadowed by that of the mothers. They are not given the due credits for their participation in the development and upbringing of their children. Fathers are equally important like mothers and play a significant role. To mark the celebration of fathers in our lives, June 17 will be observed as Father’s Day this year. The sentiment goes all the way in strengthening father-child relationship and consequently in the emotional development of a child. Below we understand the origin of this day and significance of a father in our lives.

History & Origin of Father’s Day

Father’s Day was first celebrated in the year 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972 that the day honouring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States, according to History.com. The idea of celebrating Father’s Day was given by Ms Sonora Dodd from Spokane, Washington. Her father Henry Jackson Smart single-handedly raised Sonora and five of her siblings after the death of her mother during childbirth. After attending a Mother’s Day Sermon in 1909, she thought that there should also be a corresponding day to honour fathers.

Sonora worked relentlessly for years to ensure that the idea of Father’s Day becomes a reality. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge first recognised Father’s Day. Due to massive popularity, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. Over the years, the concept of celebrating Father’s Day spread beyond geographical boundaries.

Significance of a Father

If mothers are the heroes of child rearing, significance of a father in the development and emotional well-being of a child is no less. Fathers are usually associated as the bread-winners of the house and mothers play an important role in the upbringing of children. But over the decades, a lot has changed. It is often said that daughters are closer to their father because they are the first ideal man in their life. On the other hand, for sons, father is an idol and the strongest man they aspire to emulate.

With the growth of nuclear families and both parents working, fathers do not shy away from taking care of their children. From changing nappies to putting their children to sleep, no task is difficult for modern-day fathers. This cultural change is helping in strengthening father-child relationship and consequently in emotional development of a child and building of stronger family bonds.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2018 03:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).