Both parents, the mother and the father, are vital for a child’s development, with each parent contributing uniquely to the child’s growth and well-being. Mothers often receive more societal recognition and importance due to a combination of biological factors and the traditional role that mothers play as primary caretaker, particularly during infancy and early childhood, not to forget the key role in carrying and giving birth to the child.

This biological connection, coupled with the historical expectation of the mothers’ prime role in fostering and childcare, often leads to a perception of the mother as the ‘principal parent’, which led even Billy Graham, the famous American evangelist to balance this bias, by stating: “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Tomorrow being Father’s Day, let us recognise and celebrate the importance of all the wonderful fathers of this world.

Origin Of Father’s Day

Father’s Day is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of June and will be observed this year on 15^th June, 2025. This special day was conceptualised in the USA in the early twentieth century to complement Mother’s Day. Reportedly it was first celebrated one hundred and fifteen years ago on 19^th June, 1910 at the YMCA in the city of Spokane, Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd who was inspired to start the Father’s Day movement after hearing a sermon on Anna Jarvis, who had earlier initiated Mother’s Day. Sonora felt Fathers deserved equal recognition. After all, she had herself witnessed her father William Jackson Smart (a Civil War Veteran) raise his six children as a single parent. Sonora was just sixteen when her mother died in childbirth with her sixth child. Being the only daughter, she shared the responsibility of raising her five younger brothers, including her new infant brother, Marshall.

A father’s tears and fears are unseen, his love is unexpressed, but his care and protection remain as a pillar of strength throughout our lives and this is what Father’s Day celebrates. It celebrates the fact that when grownup children no longer need their father’s hand to learn walking, bicycling or swimming, they can still count on their father to have their back when in trouble or simply when confused.

In Their Father’s Footsteps

Many famous individuals have followed in their fathers’ footsteps across various fields like acting, sports and music. Some notable examples include the Hanks family, with Tom Hanks and Colin Hanks both celebrated actors, or the Smith family, featuring Will Smith and Jaden Smith, both prominent in the entertainment industry. Sports has also seen father-son duos, such as the Beckham family with David Beckham and Brooklyn Beckham both excelling at football, and the Griffey family, with Ken Griffey (senior and junior) as noted baseball players.

Closer to home in the legal field we have Justice Rohinton Nariman (retired) following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Late Fali Nariman in upholding the Constitution of India and Dr. Zarir Udwadia following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Dr. Farokh Udwadia in the field of medicine.

Many renowned individuals have shared heartfelt reflections on their fathers, often highlighting their immense influence and lasting impact. Common themes in these tributes include deep gratitude, admiration, and the father’s role as a mentor and role model. Legendary basketball player Michael Jordan once said, “My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do and you never know what you can accomplish until you try.” Inspired by his father’s words, Jordan went on to achieve great success beyond sports, building a thriving career as a businessman and entrepreneur.

Roger Moore, the iconic James Bond actor and UNICEF ambassador, credited his father for instilling important values, stating: “My father believed in toughness, honesty, politeness, and being on time. All very important lessons.” Clarence B. Kelland, a noted author, perhaps said it best: “My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.”

Indeed, fathers shape their children’s character not just through words, but through example. A hallmark of a good father is his quiet acceptance of responsibility. He doesn’t need to preach, he knows his children are observing and absorbing how he thinks, speaks and acts.

Fathers In Ancient Greek Philosophy And Myths

In ancient Greece, fathers were seen as heads of the household, responsible for their children’s moral development, education and well-being. Philosophers like Socrates emphasized the father’s role in instilling moral values and guiding their children’s character. He believed parents, particularly fathers, should teach their children how to eat, speak, walk, and provide them with moral guidance, without expecting anything in return.

In Greek myths, fathers often represented power and authority, sometimes being seen as strong and demanding figures. In Greek epics, fathers often symbolized absence or obstacles for their sons. In Homer’s Iliad, Achilles longs for the presence and guidance of his father, Peleus. In a powerful moment at the poem’s end, King Priam of Troy pleads with Achilles to return the body of his slain son, Hektor. Achilles, moved by Priam’s grief, agrees. The two mourn together – Priam for his son, and Achilles for the father he will never see again.

Fathers In Ancient Iran

According to the Madayan-e-Hazar-Dadestan (Book of a Thousand Judgements) which is a Pahlavi Law-Book from the late Sasanian period (first half of the seventh century), the role of the patriarch of the household was to support his wife as long as she lived and his daughters until they married, and his sons until they came of age. What’s more, as father he was not entitled to give his daughter in authorized marriage without her consent.

In Zoroastrian tradition, a father is expected to instil qualities of truth, righteous conduct, knowledge, wisdom, piety and wisdom in his children. This is a reflection of Zarathustra’s vision of Ahura Mazda in the Gatha where he sees Ahura Mazda as the father of Spenta Mainyu (Good Spirit of purity and piety), of Asha Vahishta (Truth, righteousness and justice) and of Vohu Manah (Wise Thinking).

A father is the most loving and best friend that a son or daughter can ever have and here again, Zarathustra addresses Ahura Mazda in the Gatha as his Friya (Sanskrit Priya) or loving or beloved friend – a friend who is loving and not to be feared. A friend whose friendship can be attained by walking on the right and truthful path; a beloved friend to share joy and success with and a compassionate and caring friend to go to when in despair!

Zoroastrian kings of ancient Iran, especially those featured in the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), often imparted wisdom to their sons, emphasizing values of justice, compassion, and the responsibility of kingship. This wisdom also included the importance of upholding good customs, using wisdom to banish evil, and seeking the welfare of all subjects of the kingdom.

The Peshdadian King Hushang encouraged his son, Tahmuras, to preserve customs, cleanse the world of evil, and reveal useful inventions to mankind while Sam-e-Nariman instructs his son, Zal, to open his heart to even the lowest of God’s servants. To his son Cambyses, Cyrus the Great emphasized the importance of playing the role of liberator of the oppressed, providing freedom and dignity to all subjects and in return winning their love and loyalty through compassionate leadership.

Carpenter Or Gardener?

There are two kinds of parents in modern America, says Alison Gopnik in her book, ‘The Gardener and the Carpenter’. The ‘carpenter’ parent believes a child can be moulded into a specific type of adult through carefully applied effort – by teaching the right skills, reading the right books, and following a structured plan. This approach often appeals to fathers who view parenting as a project, aiming to produce a successful professional by maximizing study time and minimizing what they see as distractions, like unstructured play.

In contrast, the ‘gardener’ parent focuses less on control and more on cultivating an environment where the child can grow freely. This style emphasizes creating a rich, safe, and dynamic space filled with varied experiences, allowing children to explore, create, and learn at their own pace. It values curiosity, emotional intelligence, and self-motivation.

Truly good fathers, regardless of their wealth or profession, embody the essence of the gardener. They may not have all the resources, but they are rich in love, presence and care. They show up at school sports, plays, award functions – celebrating their child’s wins and offering comfort in their losses. Above all, they make time, no matter how busy life gets.

Fathers As Influencers

Fathers not only influence who we are inside, but also how we have relationships with people as we grow. The way a father treats his child deeply influences what he or she looks for in other people. The patterns a father sets in the relationship with his children dictates how his children relate with other people. Young girls, in particular, depend on their fathers for security and emotional support. A father demonstrates to his daughter what a good relationship with a man is like. While girls model their relationships with others based on their father’s character, boys’ model themselves after their father’s character. If a father is caring and treats people with respect, the young boy will grow up much the same.

Where the father is concerned, his world changes from the moment he holds up his first born. His children colour every aspect of his life. While children may sometimes complicate life, at the end of it all, the experience is usually enriching and ennobling. Moments of fatigue and frustration often play hide-and-seek with moments of pride and joy. However, as the saying goes: “when a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry!”

Showing fathers respect, appreciation and time is important for building strong relationships and acknowledging their role in our lives. This can be done through various actions, from simple gestures of gratitude to more significant acts of kindness and engagement. But, let’s not do this just on Father’s Day. Let’s pledge making this our way of life – everyday!

Happy Father’s Day!