Father's Day We are Dads!

　　When I asked my wife, "What day is next Sunday?" she impressed me by replying, "It's Father's Day." However she immediately disappointed me by adding, "It's just Mother's Day's extra."
　　As for Father's Day's present, popular items in Japan are necktie, dress shirt, and other necessaries of office work. I think they send a message saying, "Dad, Work harder for the company to get more money!" In contrast backpack-typed diaper bag, calendar with family pictures for office use, and T-shirt hand-dyed by kids are at the top of the gift list in the U.S. American daddies appear to be devoted to their family. I must reconsider the difference of the social value between both countries.
　　Father's Day began in the U.S. of the Progressive Era early in the 20th century. The establishment of this day was strongly promoted by Mrs. Bruce John Dodd of Spokane, Washington. In 1910 she celebrated in church the birthday of her father who had raised 6 children by himself after the early death of his wife. In 1924 President Coolidge made the Father's Day a national event. Since then every year on the third Sunday in June fathers have been honored throughout the country. In short it is the day family members thank for their father, who has great responsibilities and strong affection for his family.
　　Unfortunately father is losing his authority and dignity in the U.S. as well as in Japan. American father should bear the blame for all of the family troubles such as drug abuse, teen pregnancy, delinquency, and domestic violence.
　　Recently 19-year-old twins of President Bush were cited one after another in underage alcohol violations. Columnist Majorie Williams writes about one of the twins in Washington Post, "She seems simply like a daughter struggling with an outrageously magnified version of any child's resistance to a parent's demand - be it a demand made directly or a demand made by the circumstance of the presidency -- that her top priority be to reflect well on him."
　　Media reported intentionally that Mr. Bush had been a drunkard with a drunken-driving history until he had made a decision to quit drinking to become a President.
　　However, Mr. Bush said in a speech to "National Summit on Fatherhood", "Promoting fatherhood was a commitment I made as governor (in Texas). It's a commitment I make as President, and it's a commitment I have made every day since our little girls were born in Dallas, Texas. Since that day, Dad has been the most important title I have ever had."
　　Dad prays anytime and anywhere for the happiness of his kids.