When we celebrate days, it is about having an occasion to remember the ‘greatness’ of the event or persons. Whether it is Earth Day, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day – the main aim is to review the position of the respective subject in question and renew one’s responsibilities. But ‘Father’s day’ conjures up a mixed response. On the one hand, the hard work of fathers is remembered with fondness as their toil is the basis for the children to grow up as good citizens and achieve their goals of career-building; and there’s the moral and financial support of fathers. Fathers do not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for the betterment of children.
On the other hand, there are fathers whose work and behaviour is a cause of grave concern. Fathers are mostly associated with patriarchy, domination and exploitation, especially in association with women -their mothers, wives or sisters, etc. There’s an indulgence in honour killings, keeping their daughters under strict control, not giving then any freedom whatsoever. Few fathers also indulge in heinous crimes like rape and molestations, assaults on women. These negative traits make it very much difficult to applaud fathers.
People usually commemorate such auspicious days by constantly remembering the positive aspects but on fathers day, the negative aspects outnumber the positive ones and make it complex.
The whole mindset of most fathers has to change for a more joyous celebration of father’s day. The ‘evil’ in fathers must be rooted out and replaced by ‘fatherly’ compassion so that the greatness of fathers is remembered prominently setting aside small weakness if any. That day will certainly be a more appreciable one. Hopefully, the future of such an optimistic desire would become a ground reality sooner than later.