THE 2024 International Father’s Day has come and gone, as both religious groups and sundry stakeholders around the world marked the day at various worship centers, pubs and homes. Although it was an occasion that brought to the fore, the need to recognize the position of fathers in the family and society and the sacrifices they make for a united family, there is need to reflect on why many fathers are losing their influence in the family setting.
First celebrated in 1910, following a solo campaign by a young lady, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, USA, after listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day a year before, the celebration has spread to most parts of the world where, as proposed by the initiator, the third Sunday of June every year is set aside to celebrate the fathers; known as pillars of the homes.
Despite the Catholic Church celebrating fatherhood on the Feast Day of St Joseph, March 19, International Father’s Day has attracted global attention because of its dual character of simmering or merging worship and socials during celebrations.
The steam has continued, reaching beyond shores, offering children and other family members an opportunity to celebrate their breadwinners without nosing into or attempting to match shoulders with the mothers, whose Mother’s Day celebration appears more popular and attracts overwhelming sentimental appeals.
Considering the theme of this year’s celebration: “Honouring Fatherhood: Strength, Love and Sacrifice”, the celebration underscores the essential role fathers play in nurturing their children, offering strength and affection and selflessly making sacrifices for their families.
The celebration may have come and gone, but the day is significant as it provides opportunities for mothers, children, and other family members to express gratitude, love and support towards their natural fathers or father figures. The essence is to acknowledge the importance of fathers in nurturing, guiding, mentoring, and providing for the family, especially the children.
Practically, such expressions are embedded in choice gifts, heartwarming messages and visits to fathers. On their part, fathers also extended appreciable gifts to family members. This could be sponsoring sumptuous meals or taking the family on a memorable outing.
Unlike other economically buoyant climes, fathers in Nigeria, no doubt, contended with the effect of the dwindling economy, which limited the amount of patronage and felicitation extended to them. The prevailing economic realities tend to undermine the immense contributions of fathers to socio-economic development, family unity and love for children.
However, the prevailing spirit of Father’s Day is more important than any socio-economic distraction that could mar the import of the celebration or the ideals behind the recognition of fatherhood. Fathers must be celebrated.
Children should appreciate their fathers for giving them confidence and solace amidst the exhibitions of turbulent society, providing necessities when required, exhibiting love and care, showing leadership and making sacrifices for the benefit of the family.
Moreover, the family should also provide the atmosphere for fathers to employ their mental ability in resolving teething family problems. The homes must be made comfortable and as welcoming as possible for the fathers to have deserved rest after toiling to fetch necessities for the family. Fathers should be recommitted to family love and sacrifice and not walk away on their children and marriages.
In addition, children must obey their fathers and desist from acts that could dent the image of the family or cause a waste of resources expended for their betterment. This is because the joy of a father includes seeing his efforts rewarded by children who imbibe good characters and excel in their endeavours.
Finally, fathers should understand that it is not enough to have children. They are naturally bound to perform the role of a father to justify their position in the family. The simple lesson is train your children and expect them to celebrate you as an appreciation of your efforts in raising them.
We join all to celebrate the fathers’ indisputable roles of uniting, providing and sacrificing for their families. Many have done exceptionally well and deserve to be celebrated.
