National Parents' Day
July 25, 2004

About
History
Significance
Importance of parenting

What is National Parents' Day?

National Parents' Day is an observance that is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July to increase awareness of parental responsibilities. This special day celebrates the efforts of parents and encourages all Americans to show appreciation for their parents, who may be biological, adoptive, foster, or stepparents. As teachers, guardians, and mentors to their children, parents play an important role in a child's development and socialization.
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What is the history of National Parents' Day?

In 1994, the U.S. Congress unanimously passed a bill (Public Law 103-362) to create a national observance for parents. On October 14 of that year, then-President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law, thereby establishing National Parents' Day. This year marks the 10th celebration of National Parents' Day.
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What is the significance of National Parents' Day?

The original National Parents' Day legislation (H.J. Res. 398) encourages "[a]ll private citizens, organizations, and governmental and legislative bodies at the local, State, and Federal level...to recognize Parents' Day through proclamations, activities, and educational efforts in furtherance of recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children." National Parents' Day is significant because it provides an opportunity to recognize parents as vital to the development of future generations.
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Why is parenting important?

Parents who talk with their children about what is happening in their lives are better able to guide them toward positive, skill-enhancing activities and friendships. Strong parent-child relationships can strengthen youth resilience (a young person's ability to recover from misfortune) and can decrease youth violence. In addition, research has shown that children with parents who are highly involved in their lives attain higher levels of education and economic well-being than do other children. For these reasons, it is critical that parents do all they can to sustain good relationships with their children.
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