Father’s Day became a time honored tradition in the 20th century, one that demonstrates a modern public perception on what it means to be a dad.

At first it wasn’t universally accepted. The earliest attempts to establish a Father’s Day in June were not widely copied.

The momentum built gradually, as it was first observed by President Wilson in the 1910s and then officially encouraged by President Coolidge in the 1920s.

The Great Depression led to added popularity. Many people wanted to recognize all fathers for their efforts to support their families in difficult economic times.

World War II was an added boost because of support for the war effort. It seemed good to recognize the millions of fathers who contributed in the military and on the homefront.

It wasn’t until 1972, however, that Father’s Day was declared a national holiday by President Nixon. We look back now and wonder why it took so long.

Why didn’t it rise more quickly to holiday status?

A Farmer’s Almanac publication points out how fathers were traditionally the unquestioned heads of their households. Many of them felt they didn’t need a special day because of how wives and children honored and obeyed them on a daily basis.

Over the course of several decades marriage became more of a partnership. That was reflected somewhat in classic mid 20th century television shows like “Ozzie and Harriet” and “Leave it to Beaver”.

The 1970s and 1980s brought forth the idea of equality in marriage. Wives began to work outside the home to achieve personal career goals rather than out of necessity.

Husbands became more likely to help with cooking and cleaning. Wives sometimes took charge of the mail and household finances. Traditional gender roles had less influence.

That doesn’t mean fathers became less important. They remained a vital part of family life. Research has consistently shown that both boys and girls benefit from having a father figure in their lives.

I was fortunate to have known my father for 52 years. Part of what made we want to make an effort in school and in my first jobs was how both Mom and Dad always did their best.

Even when my dad was faced with Parkinson’s Disease he was still an important influence on my life, still one of my two most important role models.

It’s a life changing experience to lose a parent. We realize just how fortunate we were to have had plenty of love, guidance and patience. It also leads to a deeper appreciation of the surviving parent, and a desire to treasure the family times that still remain.

As we honor moms and dads, it’s important to note how Mother’s Day and Father’s Day have benefits that extend to everyone.

They’re a reminder to all adults and teenagers of the obligation to be good role models. Children learn from us. They make choices based partly on what they see from older people.

Nobody’s perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and almost everyone at times has disappointments. It’s how we handle those instances that matters. If we remain positive, it sets a good example for anyone who might see us as people worth imitating.

One of my favorite classic 20th century musicals is “Camelot”. Something I like most about it happens near the end, as Arthur’s dreams don’t disintegrate until he imparts his wisdom to a little boy.

None of us compare to King Arthur. We naturally think of ourselves as not being important, probably just average. To those closest to us, however, we can add up to something substantial.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and contributor to the Marshall Independent