Surprisingly, the dates of the celebration of Father's Day are not the same everywhere. The customs and traditions differ from one country to another. With the earliest record of Father's Day found in the ruins of Babylon, one can easily understand the fact that Father Day has been celebrated for centuries. The Countries, where the Catholic Church were of significant influence on the culture and society, Father's Day is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19). However, a more secular celebration which is not associated with any religion is followed in recent times to reflect the increased diversity of the people who live there. There are times when the Dads get a little lucky and enjoy Father's Day goodies more than once every year!
Indulging the sweet daddies with breakfast in bed; gifting out cards, flowers, chocolates ,neckties, shirts, electronic gadgets, stationery items; games and various other activities, get-together mark Father's Day to strengthen the bond between a father and child and are the traditional way of celebrating Father's Day not only in U.S. but also, all over the world in the recent times.
Father's Day is celebrated with enthusiasm and gifts galore to reflect on the invaluable role and contribution of fathers in the family. People honor their father and express gratitude for his love and affection on Father's Day . As a Father's Day tradition, people in US and Canada, along with their Dads, pay tribute to grandfather, stepfather, foster father, uncle or men who plays the Father figure role in their lives.
The tradition of celebrating Fathers Day in Canada has been influenced from US. People in Canada too wear roses to express gratitude and love for their father as their US counterparts. The event is popularly observed as a time for family reunion as well, with children staying away from families coming together to celebrate the day with their fathers and other loved ones; Paying tribute by giving out donations in the name of their fathers or by performing acts of service; Dining out. Business in restaurants and eating joints witness a huge rush on the occasion.
Several clubs, schools and cultural societies in United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia, South Africa organize Fathers Day parties and get-together and provide people an opportunity to celebrate the day in a wide scale to stress the importance of Father's role in the development of the family and the society as a whole. The effort to spread a sense of responsibility and devotion to fathers are also made besides, children who in turn are encouraged to pay full attention and respect to their father.
The occasion in Australia is celebrated privately in households. Breakfast meeting for families is also a common affair of Father Day celebrations in Australia.
Many in South Africa go out for picnic, fishing or just for a meal in restaurant.
Celebrating Father's Day is a new concept in other African countries and as well as in India and highly influenced by the U.S. celebrations. It is perhaps not even a decade old. The idea of honoring fathers has been appreciated by Africans/Indians as well to a large extent like all other countries. The event is marked by expressing gratitude for fathers. Father's Day celebration in Africa and India takes place in the same way as in UK or US though in a limited way. Awareness about Fathers Day festival is much greater in metropolitan cities and bigger towns due to the greater exposure of people to the western cultures and is fast catching up with people in smaller towns and cities of Africa and India as well. The idea is to instill noble values and principles in children to pay due respect to the elders especially dads and understand the importance of a family.
However, the popularity of Fathers Day has also led to an extensive commercialization of the event. According to critics the rigorous marketing campaign has spoiled the noble idea of honoring fathers on Father's Day as many observe the day by performing the mere formality of presenting gifts to dad. Others, on the other hand see the positive side of commercialization and consider that it has helped to spread awareness and the significance about the day for children to honor their fathers.
In a few days I will be coming up with another post to honor my own father Mr Oscar Don Korosso and I will as well like to dedicate it to all other caring and loving fathers who have lost their beloved children through death,drugs,drunkenness,possessive spouses,etc.
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