Father’s Day by the numbers

A 2009 National Fathering Survey found that 89 percent of fathers are satisfied with themselves in that role.

Here’s to you, dads — all 70.1 million of you.

That’s the estimated number of fathers across the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In honor of Father’s Day today, here are a few more statistics.

1910

The year of the first Father’s Day: June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Wash. The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers didn’t come until 1966, when Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. It’s been celebrated annually since 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed the law that made it permanent.

8,111

That’s the number of men’s clothing stores in the United States, so let’s not hear any excuses about not being able to find a nice tie for dad. Looking for a wrench instead? The Census Bureau says there are 16,010 hardware stores and 7,009 home centers. How about some golf balls? The bureau says there are 22,116 sporting goods stores.

Source: County Business Patterns, 2008

94 million

The number of Father’s Day cards that are exchanged annually, making it the fourth-largest card-sending holiday in the United States, according to Hallmark, which has been making Father’s Day cards since the early 1920s.

The company says top-selling categories are "Dad from Daughter" and cards from a couple or family group, such as "Dad From Both" and "Our Wish." Humor cards account for about 30 percent of Father’s Day sales.

Source: hallmark.com

1.8 million

The number of single fathers in 2010. Nine percent of them were raising three or more children younger than 18. About 46 percent were divorced, 30 percent were never married, 19 percent were separated, and 6 percent were widowed.

Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements

154,000

The number of stay-at-home dads in 2010. The Census Bureau defines them as married men with children younger than 15 who have stayed out of the labor force for at least one year primarily so they can care for the kids while their wives work outside the home.

America’s Mr. Moms have their hands full, caring for 287,000 kids.

Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements

66%

Way to go, guys. That’s the percentage of children younger than 6 who were praised three or more times a day by their fathers.

Source: A Child’s Day, 2006

53% and 71%

Percentages of children younger than 6 who ate breakfast and dinner, respectively, with their father every day in 2006. (Just in case you were wondering, the Census Bureau says the corresponding percentages for children who ate with their mother were 58 percent and 80 percent.)

Source: A Child’s Day, 2006

89%

The percentage of fathers who are satisfied with themselves as fathers, according to findings of the 2009 National Fathering Survey by the National Center for Fathering. Other findings: 94% of fathers are satisfied with their ability to talk to their children, and 95% of fathers are satisfied with their relationship with their children.

Source: www.fathers.com

81.5 million

The number of Americans who participated in a barbecue in the last year. Just for today, take the tongs away from dad, show him to the nearest hammock, and take over grill duties. Ignore him if he tries to make you do it his way.

Source: Mediamark Research & Intelligence, as cited in the Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2011

Contact Ann Weber at:
aweber@theblade.com
or 419-724-6121