Father–Daughter Day is a holiday recognized annually on the second Sunday of October in the United States, honoring the relationship between a father and a daughter. Unlike Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is not federally recognized.
History
The U.S. holiday was originally conceived by Smokey Robinson to honor his relationship with his six daughters. In human development the relationship between fathers and sons overshadows the bond with daughters. This holiday promotes the development of young women through their father. Robinson stated: “There are many different kinds of families today, and we know that all parental relationships are important to the healthy development of children, but the father/daughter bond is unique and one that is near to my heart. The father/daughter relationship shapes a young woman’s perspective of men and what to expect from them. I believe that female empowerment begins in the home and fathers must set a healthy example through their personal actions and interactions.”
Celebration
Examples of commemoration during Father–Daughter Day can be both commercial or intangible. Nonmaterial examples of observances during this day include embracing one another with hugs, spending quality time together, and honoring their presence in your life. In September 2017, Rockabye Baby! Music released a lullaby version of Smokey Robinson's "My Girl" to support the holiday. In October 2017, greeting card company American Greetings announced their plan to release a line of eCards with Smokey Robinson to celebrate the launch of Father-Daughter Day.
Fifteen million U.S. children live without a father. While father absence mainly results from parental divorce and separation, other factors such as family poverty, developmental difficulties have been associated with father absence, the effects of which have been explained by various theoretical approaches. Fathers are traditionally deemed a provider of protection and support for the child's development. Early maturing girls have been found to be at risk for teenage pregnancy, drinking and weight problems, and giving birth to low birth weight infants.
