Apparently yesterday was 'daughter's day' in the US. Having done a quick Google (as you do) 'daughter's day' is celebrated in India tomorrow and also globally on the 28th September.
INDIA: Daughters' Day came to be celebrated to do away with the stigma attached to having a girl child instead of a boy; to raise awareness against the discrimination of girls and promote equality between genders.
This makes sense and I applaud anything that helps to break down stigmas, override shame and supports the welfare and wellbeing of a child.
US: National Daughters Day is a day to celebrate the gift of daughters. Dads and moms have different, but very special relationships with their daughters. ... This is a day to cherish our daughters.
There appears to be no real solid reason for the US other than celebrating, so I looked a little harder and found the National Day Archives. The archives were kind enough to share how a father and mother might celebrate separately, which hash tags they should use and to inform them of the other six other days throughout the year in which they could celebrate their daughters again, including ‘princess day’.
I thought the best way to address this would be to add our day, the 16th September. I did a quick check first to ensure it hadn't already been registered. Nope, nada, nothing for childless or indeed childfree or nomo. It did of course raise more "child" related days. However here is where it got a little tricky because I discovered a cost was involved and that the cost involved would be classed as a Premium Listing because I would be including the word "world".
So, I decided it wasn't worth the price (not that I got that far) because this website like so many others has one reason to promote these days. Money. Commercialism is rife and ready to creep in unnoticed then pounce, promote, celebrate and encourage anything that will create revenue. Consumers are the prey of fat cats.
We are the consumers they don’t notice.
We are the consumers that do not fit under their stereotypical ‘family’ agenda.
Our disenfranchised grief may not be recognised and these days can sting. Wanting to be amongst those who are celebrating but looking in from the outside can hurt. Perhaps we could instead focus on ways to cope and help minimalize even eliminate that pain. We have the choice to see these days for what they truly are. We can do as we please and react how we want. We can decide how to feel and take control of our own agenda.
Perhaps focusing on the real initiative behind this and other days (ie, Mother’s Day) that create triggers could help? Researching their origin, acknowledging the positive changes they have instigated before commercialism and the ever increasing pronatalism took hold. Discovering the original concept holds a wider or deeper meaning than we expected and sharing that knowledge to our own audience. Raising awareness and feeling like we can participate in the day in our own unique way, sharing the truth before it became distorted and forgotten.
Maybe those of us who have pets can share their photos. Not everyone likes the term fur-kids or fur-mum but it is an option for some. If anyone tries to belittle your post, you have the knowledge to refer them back to the day's real meaning and remind them that if commercialism can distort the truth and bend the rules, so can you.
You may feel more comfortable to hold your knowledge and thoughts within and retreat from the day. Remove yourself from social media or reach out to your #cnbc brothers and sisters around the world for support. Self care should always be your first option and priority.
This is my final personal thought for this day.
I wish I could have found out more. But, I acknowledge that I am not the best or most patient person when researching. I was unable to find any solid information for the starting date or the name of a person or organisation responsible for instigating this day. So, for now, here is the picture of my two fur-kid daughters, Storm (front) and Tea-Cup.
Stephanie Joy Phillips
Founder, World Childless Week
P.S If you find out some more information, please let me know.
Storm (tortie & white, in front) and Tea-Cup (tabby & white, to rear)