Every June 1st, Global Day of Parents is celebrated all over the world. This is a holiday observance that was created by the United Nations and is one in which everyone is encouraged to honor parents and all that they do for their children. This is a day that’s celebrated in different ways in different parts of the world, but the message is always the same: We should honor parents everywhere who are making the sacrifices they have to make in order to ensure that their children are happy and healthy.

The History Of Global Day Of Parents

This holiday can be traced back to 1983 when the United Nations started to focus more attention on all of the issues surrounding the family unit. On the advice of the Economic and Social Council, the Commission for Social Development requested the Secretary-General to enhance awareness among decision-makers about the problems that affect the family unit and how those problems can be solved.

On December 9, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 1994 as the International Year of the Family using Resolution 44/82. This was followed up by Resolution 47/237, which decided that May 15th be observed annually as International Day of Families. The final proclamation that the UN issued in regards to family was in 2012. This is when they proclaimed the 1st of June as the Global Day of Parents. A holiday designed to honor parents and all they do around the world.

Facts About Parents And Parenting

While we were digging into the meat of this holiday, we came across some interesting facts about parents and parenting that we’d like to share. Let’s take a closer look at the following facts so that we can all get a better understanding of how hard a job being a parent can be.

• Approximately 64% of children in the U.S live in homes with two married parents. This is a downward trend from the 1960s when 88% of American children lived with their parents.
• Homes with two parents are likely to have higher High School and College graduation rates.
• After divorce, children are 50% more likely to develop health problems.
• Forty percent of children are born to unwed mothers. 2/3rds of them are under the age of 30.
• Single mothers often spend over half of their income on housing expenses and a third of their income on child care.
• Single mothers are more likely to be poor than mothers in two-parent households.
• Single-father households have increased nine-fold since 1960.

Observing Global Day Of Parents

Every year, the United Nations posts a ton of material about how people can observe this holiday around the world. People can also get together on their own and share parenting ideas with one another, or seek out quality parenting information from medical professionals. Another way to spend this holiday is for parents to spend time with their children. Everyone observing this holiday should also use the hashtag #GlobalDayOfParents on their social media posts for the day.