FATHERS’ DAY PARADOX

Apparently, we are simultaneously spending more on gifts for Fathers’ Day than for Mothers’ Day because dads are comparatively easy to shop for and yet largely ignoring Fathers’ Day because dads don’t really care about it and are really hard to shop for. Go figure.

FILED UNDER: Popular Culture
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. Paul says:

    Good Catch! I love when papers have different versions of the same story.

    Did you notice the ‘horrible conservative rag” Washington Times had actual quotes from retail organizations and retailers and the “Real Newspaper” Washington Post basically had the reporters opinion?

    If you read both stories one was good old fashioned journalism and one was simply a reporter’s opinion backed by anecdotal evidence only. She even claims phone lines are less busy but has no source to support that claim. Maybe the NY Times will hire her???

    Paul

  2. John Lemon says:

    Easily explained. They are very easy to shop for, and care a great deal, when the gift exceeds $200. They don’t care and are much harder to shop for when your kid only has $5 to spend. Though the love is appreciated. I’m off to McDonald’s to try another experiment with fish toys.

  3. jen says:

    Actually, I don’t fit the stereotype of either article. I spent the same on both parents (maybe a tad more on Mom) and my father is the tough one to buy for. Mostly because he buys stuff for himself all the time and we have no idea what he wants. Mom is the easy one to find gifts for in our family.