In the US why not get rid of Father’s Day for ”Adult Male Guardian Day”, seeing how fatherhood as been devalued over the decades?

Get serious

[ Rolls eyes ].

Perhaps the day is a good way to remember what a real father actually is.

Also, I think you’re out of your mind and perhaps just trying to be controversial if you actually believe your second paragraph.

This may sound a bit odd coming from a single mother by choice, but I don’t see what you’re saying about the US devaluing fathers. I see the media making a big deal of that concept, but I don’t see it in real life. I’m 57, I know a lot of nuclear families, and divorced families etc etc and the vast majority of those value the fathers very highly. Don’t make the mistake of buying into melodramatic media hype. mostly it just ain’t so.
@quiddidyquestions : “Controversial” is @Hypocrisy_Central‘s middle name. Just FYI.

Have you ever wondered why, if at all, fatherhood has been devalued in the U.S?
I think Father’s Day at least reminds those who have forgotten of their duties.
And it is a chance for children to learn just how special a dad is. To share love between father and child.

Why not for women, as well? You act as if these “holidays” are sacred. Good dads get love from their children all the time. Bad fathers? Not so much. People really do get what they deserve, in the end.

Um… My father actually was a sperm donor… I called my mom to tell her Happy Father’s Day today…

I don’t think Father’s Day is as big of a deal in the US because, even in this day and age, it’s still Mom who’s doing most of the work when it comes to the kids.

Even though it is called “Father’s Day” people often do celebrate it as if it is “Adult Male Guardian Day” or more accurately, “Important Adult Male Day.” When my grandfather was alive, he was the one who got the Father’s Day stuff although I did always resent having to do the Father’s Day activities with the other kids in school and lots of people do a similar thing for the important non-father males in their lives.

Let’s be honest here. The fathers who are just sperm donors and check writers aren’t actually fathers and, quite frankly, don’t deserve to be treated well on Father’s Day. Ordinarily, I like to get together with people who are also fatherless mongrels and have a grand ole time. Instead, I will be getting together with a friend who has an unfortunate relationship with his father, and there may be alcohol involved.

There are single fathers out there whom that deserve to celebrate Father’s Day! Also what’s wrong with doing what I did after my father passed away, thank my mother on Fathers Day for taking on the duel role. The same should apply to the dads whom are single fathers celebrating Mother’s Day and there is no mom in the picture.

So for all those mom’s today who are doing a duel roll Happy Father’s Day!!!

So, go on with making your point. Who is to blame? Is it the sexual revolution in the ‘60s or just feminism in general? Surely you’re not going to put the blame on men. As was said, all the men in my life who deserve father’s day love get it from me. The ones who don’t, don’t.

I don’t celebrate fathers day because I put such a high value on the role of fathers. Mine was awful, and I’m not going to insult the day by celebrating with him.

I think everyone puts a pretty high importance on fathers. Before my grandfather died, I celebrated with him. I think anyone who has a good father should give their fathers the utmost attention and thanks on father’s day.

The real problem is how easy society has made it for fathers to not be involved.

Sorry, @athenasgriffin , but I think the statement “The real problem is how easy society has made it for fathers to not be involved.” is a bit general. It’s not easy.

@JilltheTooth I suppose I didn’t mean easy. I suppose I meant it is more socially acceptable for fathers to not be involved. The government makes it ridiculously easy for men to not pay child support. I did not mean to cause any offence with that statement. If I have, I’m sorry.

Well, that would just further the devaluing of fatherhood, now wouldn’t it? Most of the families I know show love and respect for their dads, and if they don’t they usually have a good reason for it.

Because those of us who celebrate non blood related male figures wouldn’t have as much fun. Father’s Day is for celebrating whoever is who is a “father” in your life. If you don’t have someone to respect, honor and celebrate then you don’t have to participate.

If you don’t have a father or father figure in your life that you care about, then don’t celebrate the day.
The Jerry Springer type shows just show the “sperm donators” that don’t want to really be fathers and glamorize their bad behavior. I don’t think that is the norm or the majority of fathers.

@athenasgriffin : No offense taken, I assure you, but as I said above, I think the media portrays it in a manner that will sound the splashiest, and in my experience, the media is not accurate. I know men that have been jailed for not paying child support, and I’ve known men who have beggared themselves to supply way more than was court-ordered. The latter are way more numerous than the former.

I can see you point. Many sperm donors are complete A-holes when it came/comes to fatherly duties.

Anybody that gives of themselves to raise, nurture and guide a child’s life IMO should be entitled to a little praise and recognition. Happy Fathers day to all the men who picked up the ball and ran with it even if it wasn’t their own! WTG!

@Cruiser GA.

@JilltheTooth I was not speaking from my experience with the media. I think perhaps our experiences have been polar opposite as far as the child support system. I have many friends whose fathers owe their mothers thousands upon thousands of dollars in child support.

The prosecution of child support probably varies by state,which may explain why our experiences differ so.

Guess what? Not all of us fit this category you have described.

So far today, I have had eight long distance calls from my children, my grandchildren, and my three great grandchildren.

I am their guardian and I am also their father….three times down the line.

I would not change a thing.

People make their own misery, but not here.

@CaptainHarley Serious as a heart attack and a half

@queenie I think Father’s Day at least reminds those who have forgotten of their duties. If they didn’t remember or take head the other 364 days one day more will not get it into their thick skulls.

@tinyfaery Good dads get love from their children all the time. Those fathers who do a good job will get love and recognition from their children. The recognition is a private affair between members of the family, it is not official or public.

Even though it is called “Father’s Day” people often do celebrate it as if it is “Adult Male Guardian Day” or more accurately, “Important Adult Male Day.” When my grandfather was alive, he was the one who got the Father’s Day stuff although I did always resent having to do the Father’s Day activities with the other kids in school and lots of people do a similar thing for the important non-father males in their lives. We adapt nomenclature all the time, go from toilet paper to bathroom tissue; mailman to postal worker; fireman to firefighter or first responder; stewardess to flight attendant. Father’s Day use to be for the man who’s DNA you shared or adopted you, but many have a father figure but no official rights. Or real DNA fathers who would have had an abortion but they had no right to opt out so they avoid as much as possible, that are farther in, checkbook, name only.

Father Day in it’s incarnation today is more about the buck than giving real fathers a pat on the back.

@Joker94 Most of the families I know show love and respect for their dads, and if they don’t they usually have a good reason for it. That right there would show that there is no real reason for a Father’s Day because those who are doing it right will have an unofficial Father’s Day all year long.

How about just adding another day (s) to celebrate?
Keep Fathers Day for the guys that did their job.
Add Sperm Donor Day for the guys that bagged out.
Add Sperm Recipient Day for the women who did not care one way or the other who the donor was.
Add Male Role Model Day for the guys who stepped in and contributed to chid rearing.
All inclusive!

@josie Hallmark would love that.

Father is not necessarily a biological term. I have a biological father, but I also have a stepfather and a father-in-law. I am fortunate that all three of them have been a positive influence in my life. Those who are not so lucky, however, are free to honor only those who have been their fathers in more than a superficial way.

Case in point: the man I consider my father-in-law is in fact my wife’s stepfather. Her biological father is not in the picture.

I can’t see Adult Male Guardian Day really um taking off.

I agree with @SavoirFaire; a father does not have to be biological. A father is a man who is a reccuring positive influence in the lives of a child/children. I don’t see the issue.

I do not celebrate Father’s Day because I rarely speak to my dad. It’s been a very long time since I had a father figure in my life. However, that does not stop me from calling a friend/family member who’s become a new dad to wish him a happy Father’s Day.

If that happened in England Town i’d barely feel a ripple. I mean, it’s great to see the joy on the kids faces when they pass me their gifts & I will wear a big arsed badge with best dad written all over it. However, every day I burst with pride at the wonderful family i’m honoured to be part of. Shit, I just love been a dad!

@Hypocrisy_Central I understand what you’re saying, but I still think there is a chance to ”get it into their thick skulls.” as you put it. You never know.