Dear Editor,

Due respect to those whose sentiments and culture have endeared them to the celebration of Mother’s and Father’s Day. However, the true value of these observances seems to lie largely in their emotional mushiness.

These calendar dates are moments marked where people are allowed to be hypocritical and get away with it, and to be rewarded for merely being an impregnator, which may even encourage the “gal in a bungle” culture of men fathering 15 to 20 unwanted children because respect is forthcoming with the arrival of June.

Actually, it may be said that being a father is not synonymous with care, respect, being a provider or guardian — which June 15 is meant to observe. However, supporters of Father’s Day will say that this is all nonsense; for what about those fathers who have been there for their children and their mothers prior to birth and have been the bedrock of the family ever since?

Sympathisers will even argue that the Bible endorses such celebration where it says, “Honour your mother and father so that your days may be long…” and so on (Exodus 20:12), yet, consider if I were to decide on a time to honour my mother or father, wouldn’t that be like a parent giving a gift to a child and forcing that child to say thank you? All such appreciation and respects are being demanded from external pressures.

Similarly, it appears that a day is what is forcing many to honour their mothers and fathers. Like any mother, a father plays crucial roles in bringing up children. From being the financial provider in many households to tending to the welfare of mother and child during her several semesters and getting up late at nights to assist with the newborn’s delicate needs. These are all commendable acts; however, to assign a day on which to celebrate fathers, is a needless focus. Furthermore, such celebrations romanticise virtues which seem more true in observance than in practice.

Homer Sylvester

Elmsford, New York, USA

h2sylvester@gmail.com