They often shower their dads with cards and gifts. Gifts that top the list on Father’s Day are socks, underwear, ties, sweaters and slippers.
The increase in print-on-demand services offered by photo processing companies has made personalised gifts even more popular for Father’s Day. Photographs of children can be printed on desk calendars, mugs, T-shirts, mouse mats, bags and even ties. Many fathers to take these gifts to the office to remind them of their families while they are working.
Six-year-old Siyabonga Dube of Kyalami is keen to spoil his dad with a six pack of beer to express his gratitude to his father who drives around with him every weekend.
“My dad takes me around every Saturday and I will buy him his favourite drink on Father’s Day,” said Dube.
A Sunninghill father Donald Ndlovu said he was looking forward to a few surprises from his teenager children who compete in showering him with gifts such as drawings, wine or beer mugs. Ndlovu said he was proud to have been closely involved in his children’s up-bringing.
“I can’t imagine a day without my children,” he said. “Life is slow when I have to attend meetings and workshops outside Johannesburg,” said Ndlovu who is a banker by profession.
According to a renowned online research publication, Hotwheels, this year’s celebration coincides with fresh research findings that show a significant shift in the role of men in parenting.
“The new campaign reminds dads of their childhood, celebrates their connection with their children and champions the value of playing together,” reads part of the Hotwheels research findings.
Contrary to the stereotypical myth of the ever-busy and absent dad, the research found that dads are spending more time with their children and getting involved in choosing toys for their offspring.
Liane Lurie, a Johannesburg-based clinical psychologist also sees the role of millennial parents shifting from the old archetypes. “Two incomes have become essential to more sharing of childcare and household responsibilities,” she said. “Dad is doing homework with the kids, putting them to bed, and generally spending more time with them. The focus is on creating a happy, healthy family, and unstructured play is a crucial part of the childhood development.”
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