Go Ahead, Dad, It’s Your Dime

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Father’s Day may run a distant second to Mother’s Day on most counts, but it’s the No. 1 day in one category: collect calls.

Despite trailing Mother’s Day in total by 23 million calls last year--106 million compared to 83 million--the portion of collect calls was 27% higher on Father’s Day, according to American Telephone & Telegraph Co.

“It’s probably been happening since Father’s Day was first celebrated informally some 70 years ago,” AT&T; spokesman Jack McMaster said.

Dad trails Mom in most other categories. It took until 1972 for Father’s Day to become a holiday--58 years after mothers were so honored--and about 50 million fewer greeting cards are purchased for Father’s Day.

“We’ve always looked to Mom for love and nurturing,” said Brenda Wall, a family psychologist in Dallas. “But when we look to Dad, it’s usually a business transaction or something that relates to power, positioning or money.”