Ridiculous History: CLASSIC – The Origins Of, and Backlash Against, Father's Day

Release Date: June 14, 2025
Hosts: Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown | Produced by iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this classic episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown delve into the intriguing origins and societal reactions surrounding Father's Day. Celebrating fathers has evolved into a significant cultural event, but its journey to national recognition was anything but straightforward.

Early Attempts and Origins of Father's Day

The concept of Father's Day wasn't always embraced with enthusiasm. Initially, the idea faced skepticism and resistance, as many perceived celebrating fathers as too effeminate compared to the already established Mother's Day.

Ben reflects on the early days:
"A few years back, we were surprised to find that Father's Day, which we've always accused of being kind of a hallmark in creation, was not immediately popular when it was proposed originally because people thought celebrating your father was a little too effeminate."
[00:38]

One pivotal figure in the establishment of Father's Day was Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, Washington. Inspired by her father's dedication in raising six children single-handedly after her mother's death, Sonora proposed a day to honor fathers.

Noel shares Sonora's motivation:
"She says, my dad's awesome, and I want to show appreciation for all the hard work he did. It's incredibly... it can be incredibly difficult being a single parent, especially to six children."
[18:05]

Presidential Support and National Recognition

Gaining national traction required influential support. Silent Cal Coolidge, known for his taciturn nature, was a proponent of Father's Day, advocating for its recognition despite his general disinterest in the presidency.

Ben comments on Coolidge’s involvement:
"Silent Cal is a fan of Father's Day in general. He supports this date. He supports this observance."
[12:49]

The movement gained further momentum when President Lyndon Johnson issued a presidential proclamation in 1966 recognizing Father's Day. However, it wasn't until President Richard Nixon signed legislation in 1972 that Father's Day was officially designated as a national holiday on the third Sunday of June.

Noel reflects on Nixon’s role:
"And there's two stories of when the first legit Father's Day was celebrated... In some versions of the story, celebration in Washington State in June 19, 1910... But eventually, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed legislation saying the third Sunday of June is going to be Father's Day."
[21:08]

Backlash and Commercialization

Despite its growing acceptance, Father's Day faced significant backlash. Critics argued that the holiday was another commercial endeavor akin to a "second Christmas" for men, pushing traditional and often stereotypical gifts like ties and socks.

Noel highlights the commercialization critique:
"They said this feels kind of effeminate because we have this association with Mother's Day, which came first."
[08:49]

Ben adds to the sentiment:
"These holidays are proliferating and they're all just a gimmick to sell more stuff. And hey, we the fathers are also paying for the Father's Day stuff as the sole breadwinners of our family."
[31:42]

The commercialization not only commodified fatherhood but also reinforced rigid gender roles, leading to further resistance from those who felt emasculated by the sentimentality associated with the holiday.

Evolution and Inclusivity

Over time, the perception of fatherhood has shifted from traditional roles to a more inclusive and partnership-oriented model. Modern fatherhood emphasizes co-parenting and emotional support, moving away from the sole breadwinner archetype.

Aurelia C. Scott, quoted from almanac.com, observes:
"The idea of fatherhood fundamentally changed. It's not viewed as a feminine model with flowers, but it's a day that celebrates this idea of dadness."
[27:05]

This evolution has made Father's Day more inclusive, allowing acknowledgment of father figures beyond biological parents, such as uncles, mentors, and friends who fulfill paternal roles.

Ben emphasizes the importance of personalization:
"What if your dad likes flowers? Right. Give the man flowers. Give the man what he wants."
[28:20]

International Perspectives

Father's Day is celebrated worldwide, often with unique cultural twists. In Taiwan, the holiday coincides with August 8th (8/8), playing on the Mandarin word for father, "Ba." This date was chosen because "eight" sounds like "Ba," making it an auspicious and easy-to-remember celebration.

Noel explains the Taiwanese connection:
"It's because the Mandarin Chinese word for eight sounds like the word papa. You know? I know you know a bit of Mandarin Chinese. It's Ba."
[46:11]

Similarly, in Thailand, Father's Day is celebrated on December 5th, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, honoring him as a father figure to the nation.

Ben mentions Thailand's observance:
"And death day is always Father's Day. Because think about it, you're a business, you're an ad company, and you have to somehow get out of the red and into the black ink. So they double down to try to make Father's Day what they thought of as a second Christmas for dudes."
[37:58]

Conclusion

Father's Day has undergone significant transformation from its contentious beginnings to its current status as a widely recognized holiday. While commercialization and rigid gender roles initially hindered its acceptance, evolving notions of fatherhood have made the day more inclusive and meaningful.

Noel offers a final thought on genuine appreciation:
"Just send your dad a text and say something that you think is cool about him and make sure it's sincere. You don't have to wait for a specific day to do that."
[41:45]

Both hosts emphasize the importance of personalized gestures over obligatory gift-giving, advocating for authentic expressions of gratitude irrespective of a designated day.

Notable Quotes

• Ben Bowlin ([00:38]):
  "Father's Day was not immediately popular when it was proposed originally because people thought celebrating your father was a little too effeminate."

• Noel Brown ([18:05]):
  "I want to show appreciation for all the hard work he did. It's incredibly... it can be incredibly difficult being a single parent, especially to six children."

• Ben Bowlin ([31:42]):
  "These holidays are proliferating and they're all just a gimmick to sell more stuff. And hey, we the fathers are also paying for the Father's Day stuff as the sole breadwinners of our family."

• Noel Brown ([41:45]):
  "Just send your dad a text and say something that you think is cool about him and make sure it's sincere. You don't have to wait for a specific day to do that."

Final Thoughts

Ridiculous History adeptly navigates the complexities surrounding Father's Day, highlighting its humble beginnings, the societal pushback it encountered, and its eventual embrace as a meaningful celebration of fatherhood. By intertwining historical facts with personal anecdotes and cultural observations, Ben and Noel provide listeners with a comprehensive and engaging exploration of this "ridiculous" yet cherished holiday.

For more intriguing historical tales and analyses, tune into Ridiculous History by iHeartRadio.