David Beckham Image by Getty Images

By Dan Friedman June 17, 2017

If you’ve read this far you’ve probably done more to observe Father’s Day than you need to. Or you liked the photo of David Beckham who is, it has to be said, a smoking hot dad.

Here are some links to help you understand my disinterest in a holiday that’s specifically designed to celebrate me and other flabby, elite members of the breeder patriarchy.

First, there’s the false equivalence of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. As comedian Jim Gaffigan says, “My wife is amazing, we have five kids and she does 90% of the parenting. So that only leaves me with 10% which is — [BEAT] — too much.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Second, though historically Father’s Day is cited as the independent idea of a couple of different women (Jane Addams, Sonora Smart Dodd) and one man (Harry C. Meek), its institutionalization (i.e. the acceptance of it as a national “thing”) is mostly due to the decades-long perseverance of the New York Associated Men’s Wear Retailers. So that’s why the neckties.

Third, there’s an International Men’s Day already. So lets celebrate fathers, paternal bonds, and the influence of men in society then.

Fourth, if you’re still reading you should probably buy your dad something. It’s not too late to get him whisky.

Dan Friedman is the executive editor, resident curmudgeon and whisky correspondent for the Forward. Follow him on Twitter at @danfriedmanme

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount