Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Opinion

June 16, 2009

BENNETT: It’s tough out there this Father’s Day for dads

Job losses, pay reductions are worst since the ’40s.

My dad worked at a power plant.

But for a kid fascinated by secret-agent shows like “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “Mission Impossible,” it looked like a high-security compound.

Every once in a while, on weekends, my dad would take my brother and me to the plant. The gate — the coolest part — had a two-way speaker, connected to a guard shack. Dad would pull the car up, identify himself, and the mechanized chain-link, barbed-wire-topped gate would roll open.

Suddenly, we were inside …

Of course, after entering, it always became obvious that nothing clandestine was occurring. The employees were turning coal into electricity, not cracking international spy codes. Still, the smokestack (known as an emissions stack in 21st-century parlance) resembled a rocket silo (at least in my 8-year-old mind), the coal conveyor line had definite fight-scene possibilities, and the sizzling transformers provided a mad-scientist type soundtrack for our fantastic visits.

(Bear with me; I grew up in rural Indiana, not Monaco.)

My memories of my dad aren’t hitched to his job. He was well-respected at the plant, seemed to enjoy working there, and usually left its frustrations inside that automated gate. Proud as he was of that occupation, it didn’t define him. He seldom mentioned work, unless asked.

Fortunately, as a guy raised during the Depression, my father was never without a job, and was grateful for that.

On this coming Father’s Day, millions of dads across Indiana and the country will be, like it or not, thinking about work. It’s not hard to understand why. Since this stubborn recession began last year, 4.5 million American men have lost jobs, according to a Reuters report based on research at Northeastern University. Predominantly male industries such as construction, financing and manufacturing have been hit the hardest. Men account for 80 percent of the jobs shed, so far. In May, 9.8 percent of men in the U.S. labor force were unemployed. (The jobless rate for women stood at 7.5, which is also painfully high, but nonetheless lower than that of men.)

Those numbers don’t include millions of fathers still working but worried. They’re concerned about their own job stability, wage cuts, longer hours and greater demands, and paying for the kids’ college tuition, vehicles and lights. Those who run their own businesses may wonder whether their savings will hold out through the downturn in customer traffic. Spirits and pride have been shaken.

One year ago on Father’s Day, life wasn’t exactly carefree for dads. Gasoline prices in Terre Haute hovered at $3.98 a gallon, on their way to a peak of $4.18 by the end of last summer. However, the grip of this recession had not fully tightened on Indiana’s manufacturing-based economy. The overall jobless rate in the Hoosier state was 5.7 percent.

Now, it’s 9.9 percent.

Indeed, June 21, 2009, is not your father’s Father’s Day. Job losses and pay reductions haven’t hit dads this heavily since the 1940s, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This holiday should not be an exercise in male whining or pity, or a gender gripe session. Women also intensely feel the impact of employment uncertainty and the changing job market. But Father’s Day comes just once a year, thanks to Richard Nixon. (I believe that’s the first time I’ve ever written those last four words in an unsarcastic manner; President Nixon signed the Father’s Day observance into law in 1972.) So, this Sunday, dads could use a little extra, heartfelt encouragement from their loved ones more than in years past.

If they’re out of work, thank them for all they do elsewhere.

If they’ve taken a cut in pay or hours, tell them you appreciate their sacrifice.

If their employment options are limited, let them know you respect their determination to help support your household by pursuing a job they normally wouldn’t consider.

If their job search has grown cold, offer to help find new connections.

No matter what, make sure dads realize they have your faith, respect and affection, regardless of where they earn a paycheck. As Sunday approaches, spend a few moments this week thinking of small ways to lighten a father’s spirits. Memories, like those I found on weekend adventures at the power plant with my dad, had more to do with spending time together, and little to do with wages or status. Being a good dad is an important job.

• Mark Bennett can be reached at (812) 231-4377 or mark.bennett@tribstar.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Opinion
  • Forever thankful

    Monday is Memorial Day, a national holiday to remember those who have died while serving our country.

    Memorial Day officially

    May 26, 2012

  • Cheers and Jeers - Saturday, May 26, 2012

    Thanks for your kindness

    Terry Siegrist, a paralegal in Salina, Kan., sends this Cheer:

    “The family of the late Esther Sprinkle wishes to send our heartfelt thanks to all who gave so generously of their kindness and sympathy in the death of our beloved mother and grandmother. We especially want to thank those who visited us at the funeral home and sent flowers, cards, memorials or food.

    May 25, 2012

  • USPS scales back plans

    The issue: Postal Service plans to keep smaller post offices open.

    Our view: Agency deserves credit for listening to the concerns of customers.

    May 25, 2012

  • Sign change is overdue

    A colleague of ours years ago said Indiana lawmakers should change the state motto to “We’ll Get Around to It.” His observation is both funny and sad.

    May 23, 2012 1 Story

  • Tips on flag etiquette

    Monday is Memorial Day – set aside to honor those Americans who gave their lives in this nation’s wars. Lots of folks fly the flag every day as a show of patriotism, but what many might not know is that there are specific rules outlined in the U.S. Flag Code concerning its display.

    May 21, 2012

  • Cheers & Jeers - Saturday, May 19, 2012

    Carriers collect 19 tons of food

    Brian S. Kidwell of Branch 533 of the letter carriers union sends this Cheer:

    May 19, 2012

  • Walk a lap, fight cancer

    Before you read any farther, stop for a second and think about what this one word means to you: cancer.

    May 18, 2012

  • Program eyes troubled kids

    If you know a teenager who has gotten off track, Elissa Andersen might be just the person to call.

    May 16, 2012

  • Editorial - May 15, 2012: Hard work still pays

    The issue: The Class of 2012.

    Our view: Congratulations on your achievement, graduating high school seniors, and remember to thank those who helped you along the way to success.

     

     

    May 15, 2012

  • de la Bastide: Indiana, the nation lose true statesman

    During his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, Richard Lugar was noted for his ability to compro-mise when it came to legislation impacting the nation, and as a statesman when it came to foreign policy issues.

    May 15, 2012

eEdition
ktbizlinc.kokomotribune.com
Featured Ads
More kokomotribune.com
KT Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Echoes from the Titanic