Day of Fathers to be marked

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Men have it hard in Mongolia. Not only are they on average lower educated, they're also discriminated against when applying for jobs. Unemployment, the subsequent lack of respect from society, depressions... it all too often leads to alcohol abuse. And alcohol often lies at the root of many family problems. Mongolian men suffer from a bad rep.

The truth is more nuanced. Mongolian men work hard, drink hard, live hard. Add a pinch of countryside machismo and tempers can easily flare. This can result in physical abuse of wife and children but also in fist fights.

The thing is that Mongolian men don't really have a different role model to follow, unless you count the Mongolian sumo wrestlers. Therefore, this proposed Day of Fathers could be a good step in the right direction. Raising the prestige of being a father, a good husband, and a good provider, with the increase in respect that comes with it, might just be the push young Mongolian men need. They have a lot to gain. The Mongolian women have a lot to gain. And Mongolia too.

Let's hear it for all the good men and fathers out there! Khuree! Khuree! Khuree!

Mongolian Men's Union started celebrating the Day of Fathers in 2005 with the intention of raising the prestige, duties and responsibilities of fathers.

The Day of Fathers was marked on Thursday in the central cultural palace of Mongolian Trade Union. At the event, awards were granted to the best fathers, more than ten hospitals is starting free of charge diagnose all kinds of men's diseases and the "Yalma" beauty saloon is providing permanent beauty saloons for men. Besides, a competition was arranged among children to write letters for their fathers and the state honored lecturer Ts. Tuvshintugs have a lecture titled "Home - Father - Country" for new couples.

The third national contest to select Mister Mongolia will be administered in September in Ulaanbaatar city with the purpose of improving the ethics and cultural level of young people, developing their talents and abilities and becoming known advantages of Mongolian men to the public. Men aged until 27 will participate in the competition and will compete by their abilities, knowledge and talents.