Celebrating Father's Day in Germany

While Christians celebrate Ascension Day, a lot of men in Germany get together for a Father's Day outing. Sometimes they meet to go hiking - or, as here - for a bike ride. Wives and children stay home, while the men make sure they have enough to drink for the journey - enough alcohol, that is. Despite this being a cliché, it's still pretty common.

A typical outing on Father's Day in Germany, with the typical accoutrements: A handcart filled with food and drink. After all, for an all-day outing, you're going to need sustenance!

While some dress appropriately for going out, or practically for the weather, others - like these gentlemen - have just stripped off their clothes to parade around in old-fashioned bathing suits. No matter - on their special day, men are allowed to do whatever they want.

Father's Day has been around for more than 100 years. Although the rituals haven't changed much, the role of dads has. Half a century ago, fathers were often aloof authority figures for their children. Seldom were they as close with their children as in this picture from the 1940s of actor Dieter Borsche playing with his sons.

Today, men in Germany are more involved with the family than they were a generation ago. They help with household chores these days, which takes some of the pressure off partners and mothers, who often have jobs outside of the home. In a few instances, the roles have even been swapped and the women work, while men stay home, cooking and caring for the children.

In 2004, Germany changed its adoption laws, extending certain adoption rights to same-sex couples. Since then, the classic concept of mother-father-child family has been expanded to a family with two fathers - or two mothers.

Regardless if a father is "new," or gay; single, or a traditional husband and provider: Father's Day is for all dads to celebrate.