Today is Father’s Day! With the rise of the media’s presence in our everyday lives, our perception of family structures and what a “father” is has been influenced by TV, film, social media, etc. On behalf of ClassHook, we view today as a day to cherish and celebrate whoever you see as your father. 

We recognize fathers of all kinds: adopted children, pet fathers, fathers who have lost their child, single fathers, father figures in a school or workplace. No matter who plays the role as father in your life, it’s important we celebrate them! On behalf of ClassHook we want to take the time to recognize and celebrate the love fathers bring to the world!

History of the Holiday

While in our earlier Mother’s Day post we recalled its celebration among ancient Greeks and Romans, Fathers Day did not emerge from such a background. The nation’s first event to honor fathers occurred on July 5th of 1908. The following year, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd pushed the efforts towards a holiday made to celebrate male parents, the same way Mother’s Day did for female parents. During the campaign to celebrate fathers on a national scale there was a lack of enthusiasm because fathers are not associated with the same warm sentiments mothers are. Nonetheless, Dodd was successful and America’s first Father’s Day was celebrated in Washington on June 19th of 1910. It was only in 1972 that Father’s Day became a nationwide holiday.

In the 1920’s and 1930’s however, a movement swept the nation to rid both Mother’s and Father’s Day, arguing that both parents should be loved and celebrated together. During the Great Depression these efforts were derailed, and Father’s Day became an attempt to commercialize by retailers and advertisers. They promoted gifts such as ties, hats, socks, sporting goods, and cards for the holiday. At the start of World War II advertisers again changed their marketing tactics and proposed that Father’s Day is a way to honor American troops and support the war. With this ever-changing commercialized background to the holiday, economists have estimated that $1 billion dollars are spent each year on Father’s Day gifts. 

The common sacrifices fathers make are present in both media and nature, as demonstrated in The Lion King. Below is a clip from ClassHook’s library showing Mufasa risking his life to save Simba from a stampede in the Gorge.

How Can You Celebrate Father’s Day?

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we’ve listed some ways you can celebrate the father in your life:

• Take them out to do their favorite activity! The simple act of showing that you are about their likes and hobbies means a lot. 
• Cook their favorite food! For those who show love in acts of service, there’s no better way than making a meal you know they’ll appreciate.
• Surprise them with a gift they’ve been wanting! Whether it’s something that’s been on their wishlist or something handcrafted with love, personalized and handpicked gifts are a great way to show gratitude. 
• Write them a card! Let them know how you appreciate them in a handwritten card–we often forget to express these sentiments daily. 
• Be “Dad” for the day! Show your thankfulness for their everyday self by letting them take a day off and spend it leisurely.