As Father’s Day approaches, the excitement is building to find the perfect gift or experience for dads and stepdads on Sunday, June 16. This holiday is a big business, with the National Retail Federation projecting about $22.4 billion to be spent celebrating Father’s Day this year, just slightly less than last year’s $22.9 billion. Those celebrating are expected to spend around $190 each on fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, husbands, sons, brothers, and friends.
The idea of Father’s Day was born from a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash., who wanted to honor her father after he raised her and her siblings after their mother died in childbirth in 1898. Dodd spent the next 62 years lobbying for an official Father’s Day which finally became a federal holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday of June as a day to honor dads.
Father’s Day has continued to grow in popularity and is now celebrated by about 75% of their children with greeting cards being one of the top choices for gifts. However, clothes and outings are also popular options among fathers and stepfathers in America. The Census Bureau reports that about 72 million fathers live in the U.S., with approximately 40%, or 29 million of them being grandfathers too. Another interesting fact is that about 2 million fathers living with kids under 18 are single fathers while there are also 231,000 stay-at-home dads who take care of their children full-time. Lastly, over half (66%) of first-time dads between 2016-2020 took parental leave compared to only 14% in earlier years showcasing how much times have changed regarding parenthood roles and responsibilities.
In conclusion, as we approach Father’s Day this year we need to remember all those men who have played an essential role in raising us up into the people we are today. Whether it be our biological fathers or stepfathers or even grandfathers – they all deserve our love and appreciation on this special day.
