The ideas of the Founding Fathers of the United States were heavily influenced by the European Enlightenment and from the concept of the Church fathers.
Some modern Americans regard the term "Founding Fathers" as sexist, because it diminishes the important role of women in the founding of the American Republic. For this reason, some have begun using the politically correct term "Framers of the Republic," or simply "Framers." However, the term "Founding Fathers" is accurate as far as it goes, since the groups it has been used to refer to have been all male. Also, the alternate term does not capture the full meaning, and unintentionally demeans the achievements of the Founding Fathers since they did much more than "frame."
Canada had its Fathers of Confederation (see Canadian Confederation).
Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer, Alcide De Gasperi, Paul-Henri Spaak and Altiero Spinelli have been referred to as the founding fathers of the European Union.
See also: Father of the Nation