CubaPLUS Magazine

The father is an indispensable figure in every family. While often seen as simply the one who provides for the household, he is, along with the mother, responsible for raising the children, including their education, nutrition, and other needs, contributing to their development at every stage of life.

According to studies, an active and engaged father, in addition to serving as a role model, is committed and affectionate. This helps his children develop better self-esteem, confidence, and stronger social skills. He also supports, through his example, better academic performance and provides psychological well-being to his offspring.

In Cuba, the father plays a role as important as the mother. In fact, the laws protect him in case he needs to care for the children when the wife must work due to having greater work responsibilities than him.

That is why today, the father and mother play an equal role in the home. The parent helps in the daily upbringing of the little ones, sharing domestic chores and care with the mother, such as: feeding, dressing, walking, putting to sleep, playing, bathing, and teaching.

On that note, every third Sunday of June in Cuba, as in many countries including Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Guyana, Ecuador, Mexico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bahamas, and the United States, Father's Day is celebrated to honor and recognize the importance and impact that fathers have in the lives of their children and in society in general. It seeks to highlight the love, dedication, and sacrifice that fathers make daily to raise, educate, and support their families.

It is important to know that the idea for the celebration arose in 1910, on the initiative of Louise Smart Dodd, an American woman who sought to achieve recognition of the role of fathers in society. However, it was not until 1972 that the third Sunday of June was officially designated to honor fathers.

To all Cuban and world fathers, a big congratulations on this well-deserved and beautiful day that is dedicated to them each year. We suggest to all children a gesture of affection and love, as that is enough for their parents to feel recognized on their day.