Global Day of Parents
The family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children and that children, for the full and harmonious development of their personality, should grow up in a family environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.
Since the 1980s, the important role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community. On September 17, 2012, the United Nations (U.N.) publicly declared that the Global Day of Parents would be held annually on June 1, and thus the Global Day of Parents is observed on June 1, 2017, to honor parents throughout the world and provides an opportunity to appreciate all parents for their selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship.
The UN also noted that parents of all race, religion, culture and nationality in all parts of the world were the primary caregivers and teachers of their children. In particular, family-oriented policies can contribute to the achievement of goals relating to doing away with poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, ensuring educational opportunity throughout the lifespan, and achieving gender equality.
In the United States, Parents’ Day is held on the fourth Sunday of July. This was established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children”.
In the Philippines, while it is not strictly observed or celebrated, first Monday of December each year is proclaimed as Parents’ Day. It was originally designated solely as Mothers’ Day. It was later changed due to finding petitions to set a special date for Fathers’ Day not advisable as there are already set of numerous holidays set, and deeming it more fitting to celebrate both Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day together and not apart.
In India too, the Parents’ Day will be on July 23rd (Sunday). Children in India buy gifts, greetings and flowers for their parents. A wide range of gifts are given which could be silk scarves, brooches, music system, watches, a cozy dinner for the two and so on. If one wants to be trendy, they can go for personalized gifts or craft the gifts with his/her own hands. This will be the best gift for your parents.
Family is the fundamental unit of a society and parents and children are the pillars of it. Parents are a child’s ideal – they play important role in the development of a child by directing them to become a mature and responsible citizen. Parents are a teacher, well-wisher, mentor, role-model and protector to their children. Hats off to their unconditional love and the hard work they employed to brought up their children and make them that able that they face in the crowd.
Their debt can’t be paid back. Yet the children celebrate Parents, Day every year to honor their mom-dad for their care. Parenting requires a lot of focus, commitment and investment of time. Parents’ Day promotes parenting.
Arvind M. Dhople, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Florida Tech