The Modern Dad's Father's Day: Stereotypes v. Realities

Another Father’s Day comes this way along with another round of the usual jokes about grilling, golfing and neckties. Not in these parts, though.

It’s the 21^st century, people. Let’s stop with the mid-20^th century stereotypes and find some fun in today’s modern dad – a guy who knows his role in parenting today is far greater than bringing home a paycheck then settling into an easy chair for a pipe, the evening news and a dry martini.

Let's review the stereotypes about dads and the modern-day realities:

Grooming – personal

• Stereotype: Dads can always use another necktie.
• Reality: A modern dad can always use another pair of cargo shorts because his children or spouse/partner are always wanting him to hold something for them.

Grooming – others

• Stereotype: Dads are incapable of helping their daughters with “girlie” things like braiding hair and makeup.
• Reality: A modern dad teaches his daughter how to do her fingernails just right so she can throw the perfect knuckleball.

Fatherly advice, Part I

• Stereotype: “Well, if your mother said it’s OK with her, then it’s OK with me.”
• Reality: “Don’t even try that old ruse with me, dude. Mom already texted me. And you’re grounded.”

Work

• Stereotype: Dads are career-driven breadwinners who spend most of their time grinding away in an office to make ends meet.
• Reality: A modern dad takes his kids to the playground where he has a regular side hustle selling diapers, baby wipes and snacks to less-prepared parents.

Transportation

• Stereotype: Dads drive sedans but long for sports cars.
• Reality: A modern dad buys a minivan with luxurious seating, a state-of-the-art entertainment and WiFi system, and roughly the cargo capacity of a trans-Atlantic shipping container for schlepping all his family’s stuff around on weekends.

Leisure

• Stereotype: Dads spend their weekends golfing.
• Reality: A modern dad spends his weekends driving to and then attending his children’s various sporting events, music/dance lessons and play dates when he’s not looking for a misplaced cleat or hairband under the piles of stuff thrown in the back of his minivan.

Fatherly advice, Part II

• Stereotype: “Don’t tell your mother.”
• Reality: “Don’t post this on Snapchat.”

Housework

• Stereotype: Dads don’t clean. That’s women’s work.
• Reality: A modern dad handles a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and an economy sized tub of OxiClean with ease.

Playtime

• Stereotype: Dads only like to roughhouse with their children.
• Reality: A modern dad rocks Minecraft construction on the Xbox with one child and a tiara at a tea party with the other.

Food

• Stereotype: Dads only cook when it’s time to fire meat on the grill.
• Reality: A modern dad whips up vegan and gluten-free meals to satisfy his children’s dietary preferences and restrictions.

Entertainment

• Stereotype: Dads will only watch action movies with lots of gunfire and explosions.
• Reality: A modern dad knows the release date of the next Pixar animated film and the identity of Disney’s next princess.

Fatherly advice, Part III

• Stereotype: “Go ask your mother.”
• Reality: “Go ask Alexa.”