Father's Day is a bit of a 'meh' holiday

The thing is - we live in a male dominated world and a very patriarchal society where the males have, and enjoy, the lion's share of rights, jobs and freedoms.  

 

I can understand a Women's Day because women - as a rule - are under-appreciated. That goes for Mother's Day too, of course. I can even understand a Youth Day, seeing as the youth have been given a bum rap historically in this country and they have had to use their smaller voice and shout a lot louder to be heard.

 

I just don't see the reason for Father's Day.  It seems to me that it was created in the way of; "Oh well, we have a Dad - he may as well have a day in his honour too!"  

 

Just because a man became a Father doesn't warrant any kind of celebration. The fact that a man can procreate warrants no fanfare. I've heard it said that anyone can be a father, not everyone is a Dad.

 

In fact they should change it to:

 

Fathers-who-pay-maintenance-day.

 

Or:

 

Fathers-who-respect-their-wives-and-female-work-colleagues-Day.

 

Or

 

Fathers-who-empower-their-daughters-as-much-as-their-sons-Day.

 

THESE would be days I would find worth celebrating.

 

If that doesn't put you off Father's Day day; consider this:

 

You know - even buying a gift for a Father is nigh on impossible because if there is something that Dad wants, it is normally way out of any price range for a child.

 

If Dad really wants something he either wants the new flat screen TV or a Ferrari or a jet-ski or a brand new fishing rod or something which invariably costs thousands of rands.  Even just buying clothes for Dad - a collared shirt can set you back a grand, a pair of shoes - two grand, a watch - 20 grand.

 

You can't even buy some significant knick-knack because generally men don't go in for trinkets and little things like costume jewellery, make-up, toiletries which women so enjoy receiving.

 

This is why Dads end up with ties and socks - probably the only affordable thing they are going to use but there really isn't anything significantly sentimental about the gift.

 

So as far as Father's Day goes - it really is a 'meh' celebration. 

 

What your Dad really wants is for you - his child - to be okay.

 

If you want to give your Dad a gift this Fathers Day, give him your time and let him know that you're doing well and that he was in some small way responsible for your happiness.