MARK MY WORD: TODAY'S DADS SHOW SENSITIVE SIDE, DO DIAPER DUTY

It's Father's Day once again.

That's good news for all those merchants who otherwise would be stuck with all those golf ties.

It's a day when some of us get extra hugs from our children for just being there.

For others, it's a chance to play golf without being burdened by guilt for leaving mom with the kids.

Father's Day was first celebrated in Spokane, Wash., in 1910, thanks to the efforts of a woman.

That shouldn't come as a surprise. Most dads would rather face a firing squad than organize a national holiday.

Actually, it wasn't until 1972 that a day was set aside to celebrate dads nationwide.

We still have Father's Day, but times have changed.

Today, society expects dads to be sensitive souls.

We can't just barge through life anymore like a freight train. We're expected to be gentle and kind.

We're also expected to change diapers and even buy our own socks.

This wasn't the case years ago. For centuries, man went to war just so he wouldn't have to change those dirty diapers.

But with the Cold War having melted away, our nation is at peace.

As a result, dads have been changing diapers in record numbers.

We've even had to do it in public. More and more establishments are putting changing tables in the men's bathrooms.

They used to be reserved exclusively for women's bathrooms.

But the changing restroom landscape has taken away another excuse to avoid the dirty work.

Dads also are doing more dishes.

Beaver's dad never did the dishes, although he would occasionally dry a dish or two.

I guess my parents were ahead of their time. Washing dishes was a regular chore for me when I was growing up.

No one ever told me that it amounted to sensitivity training.

I am perfectly glad to be a dad and be on a first name basis with my daughter's Barbie dolls.

Some things, however, haven't changed. I am still the man of the house when it comes to combating household insects.

Joni could deal with a little spider, but she calls on me to track the critter down.

There are times for a man to be sensitive. This isn't one of them.

We also don't have to be sensitive sorts when we're washing the car or cutting down tree limbs.

But we can't embark on such manly pursuits when we're stationed at the backyard swing set, watching our children swing through the air with the greatest of ease -- provided we are pushing them.

Personally, I think we've done well in mastering this sensitivity stuff.

Some of us have even learned how to dress our children in outfits that match.

But I'm still not ready to be a mom. I'd have to master hair braids and grocery shopping with the kids.

Fortunately, Becca and Bailey don't expect me to get off the couch all the time.

They know that even Barbie's tea parties can wear a man out.

Still, I'm not one to give up the title of Mr. Sensitive without a fight.

~Mark Bliss is a staff writer with the Southeast Missourian.