The traditional image of the father figure is one which is difficult to reconcile with the idea of having a special day of the year when dads get pampered, praised and generally made to feel special.
Let's face it, Father's Day, celebrated in Hong Kong and around the world today, is not a particularly macho affair.
Men find themselves presented with gifts and greeting cards, encouraged to spend time with their families and told how much they are loved. Some are even given flowers. These are not activities generally associated with the stereotypical male.
Thankfully, however, the role of fathers is changing, and the stereotype with it. Father's Day perhaps has more relevance today than it has ever had.
The day was first celebrated in the United States almost 100 years ago when a Mrs John Dodd proposed the idea, because she wanted to honour her father. The man in question had certainly earned such an honour - he had brought up six children on his own.
It is fitting, then, that modern dads are seeing themselves as having a more participatory role to play in parenthood. It is no longer good enough for fathers to merely play the role of protector, breadwinner and stern disciplinarian.
The model dad must demonstrate a much wider range of skills. He is expected to be present at the birth - a moving, emotional and rather gory experience. His macho credentials will, no doubt, be boosted if he manages to get through it all without fainting.