Fathers Day Council Facts

The Fathers Day Council of New York gives us these facts and figures: There are 80 million fathers in America today. Of these, about 1.5 are single fathers. The average number of gifts per dad on Fathers Day is 2.5, with a combined value of $70. Very few dads get more than 10 gifts on Fathers day. Sportswear for men was "invented" in the 1940s. Together with the growing national popularity of Fathers' Day, it gave mothers "social permission" to dress dad "the way she wanted him to look in her fantasies." On Fathers Day, 80 million pounds of beef are consumed on picnics and barbecues, and 100 million cards are mailed.