Today our society is filled with many single-parent households, many of which are headed by women. Do they make single-parent Father’s Day cards for mothers?
I ask this because I remember once reading about the duties of a mother and it was an exhaustive list. I have yet to come across such a list about the duties of a father but I would surmise it entails such things as: provide economically for the family, maintain a close relationship with his children, share in disciplinarian roles, cooperate with his partner or wife, and share in household tasks.
Seems pretty basic. But what about child care responsibilities, PTA meetings, dance or sport lessons, cooking dinner, nursing a sick child, and the list goes on…?
Please note that I don’t intend for this to be a male-bashing commentary — rather a more obvious and culturally accepted “way things are.” I also want to acknowledge the many fathers out there who serve as father and mother to their children.
In female-dominated single-parent homes, the mother usually assumes this role singlehandedly along with being the disciplinarian, authoritarian and income-earner. If she is lucky, she will have male family members or role models to bounce ideas off or who can provide some unique instruction and perspective to her children, as only a male can. If she is not so lucky, she is left to her own devices to make the best decisions she can.
I am fortunate that I had three children who recognized that I was carrying a heavy load and when they were old enough they began to celebrate ME on Father’s Day too. It usually started out like Mother’s Day with breakfast in bed and homemade cards, and now it has evolved to gifts of the latest technological gadget or a slew of books.
Most importantly — beyond gifts and acts of doing — this helped me to see the importance of what both roles meant to my children. I am also fortunate that they have a relationship with their father as well.
I would hope that as Father’s Day approaches you will reach out to these single-parent moms who are tirelessly doing double duty and wish them a Happy Father’s Day — for they have often filled the void of the absentee father.
Photo Credit
“IMGP2577” @ Digismile STL @ Flickr.com. Some Rights Reserved.
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