It is Father’s Day weekend and Americans are looking forward to a day of celebration with their families. Some are probably still mulling over possible gift options. In the middle of it all is the unspoken and not openly discussed paradigm shift of the role of fathers in American society.
Changing roles
In olden days, fathers went to work in factories and farms while mothers stayed at home to take care of the children. These days, many American families have both parents working and in some households fathers stay at home to take care of the kids while mothers go to work.
The definition of “fatherhood” has also evolved. In modern families, fathers are not only expected to provide for the family financially. But there are high expectations as well with regard to the quality time that they spend with their family. Real fathers in modern America are not just ample providers. Real fathers have an equally important role to play in child-rearing – a component of family life that was traditionally designated to mothers.
Having a father in the family
For children who are still undecided on what to give their fathers on June 16, Father’s Day, perhaps it is important to think about how important fathers are, not just in their lives but to the family unit as well. In the United States, numerous instances have shown that children with absent fathers are at a disadvantage. Children from homes without fathers are at a higher risk of experiencing financial difficulty, engaging in drug use, and getting in trouble with the law. Children who are being raised by both parents ought to be thankful that the presence of a father in the household gives them a number of advantages. They have a higher probability of graduating from high school or college, and they have a better chance of leading healthy well-rounded lives.
Trending Father’s Day offers
The shift is not just confined to roles and how fatherhood is perceived in society nowadays. The way that people celebrate Father’s Day has also evolved with the times. This year, most restaurants in America are offering Father’s Day freebies for families. Promotional offers such as free food are just becoming the trend. Although annual freebies are often offered during Mother’s Day and Veteran’s Day, promos for Father’s Day are just emerging since traditionally, dads would rather flip burgers on the grill.
There was a time when the usual Father’s Day gift was a tie, or a new set of golf balls, a shaving kit, or cologne. Today’s last minute Father’s Day recommendations includes a wide array of options, from a new suit, to a day of pampering at the spa, to the latest smartphone for wives and kids who can afford to purchase one.
The search for role models
Perhaps, for their part, modern fathers ought to look for modern role models. In the digital age, children are exposed to influences and risks that were not present when the Dads of today were being raised by their own fathers. Modern American fathers face challenges that those before them didn’t have to face and it would help to have role models who are performing admirably in similar situations.