Television Dads in cartoons are idiots

[Hotora86]

Being a young dad myself I've started noticing this recently - the portrayal of fathers in cartoons is mostly negative. Whether we're talking about shows for kids or the ones aimed at adults, old or modern, 2D or 3D - whenever a dad is in the picture, he's usually stupid, useless or both.

Let's have a quick rundown, shall we?

• Simpsons - Homer - loveable idiot
• Family Guy - Peter - violent retard
• The Flintstones - Fred - lazy fatso
• The Jetsons - George - scrawny loser
• Daria - Jake Morgendorffer - meek loser
  
• Mickey Mouse / Disney - Goofy - literally goofy
  
• Dexter's Laboratory - Dad - completely clueless
  
• Rick and Morty - Jerry - meek, insecure and misguided
• Adventure Time - Martin - total asshole and absentee father
• Peppa Pig - Daddy - fat stupid lazy slob (a cartoon for little kids!)
• The Amazing World of Gumball - Richard - unemployed fat lazy idiot
• How to Train Your Dragon - Stoick - overprotective, stubborn, obstinate
• UP - ? - absentee father

What are some other idiot dads that you know from cartoons?
Why do you think dads are portrayed like this?
Are there any GOOD dads in toons?
Discuss!

I'm not the only one who noticed this trend BTW.
Multiple articles written on the same topic:

https://metro.co.uk/2013/06/12/cartoons-make-dads-look-lazy-stupid-and-useless-3837816/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2340677/Why-does-TV-portray-dad-dimwit.html
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-05/simpsons-family-guy-bluey-and-the-useless-dad-trope/10957610
https://www.deseret.com/2013/2/27/2...m-opposed-to-what-being-a-father-used-to-mean
https://watchmojo.com/suggest/Top+10+idiot+cartoon+Dads+in+TV

 

[GoodBadHBK]

It's just a cartoon.

 

[mb23100]

Good. It will prepare my future kids for their reality.

 

[Pittie Petey]

Fred Flintstone wasnt portrayed as lazy
He was a well paid machine operator that also had a pretty active social life outside of work

 

[zapataxiv]

your description daddy pig is way off. he is a great dad. he would never call peppa an "it" and then try and play it off!

 

[Sycho Sid]

Most sitcom dads are idiots. And most animated and sitcom moms are boring or bitches.

Welcome to the tv format for the last 60 years.

 

[Hotora86]

Fred Flintstone wasnt portrayed as lazy
He was a well paid machine operator that also had a pretty active social life outside of work

OK, I'll give you that. He's fat tho.

 

[heavyarms21]

Odd admission of daddy issues

 

[Hotora86]

your description daddy pig is way off. he is a great dad. he would never call peppa an "it" and then try and play it off!

We've been over this. English is not my 1st language. This is how I've been taught to refer to babies. I've corrected the post. Why are you still nagging me about this?

As for Daddy Pig...

 

[THEfightsAREfixed]

Almost as if there is a demoralization process systematically breaking down the family each generation in a new unique way ....

I wonder if any governments have ever looked into how to do this before? Prob not that would be messed up.

 

[Hotora86]

It's just a cartoon.

It's media that influences our kids' view of reality.

 

[badascan]

Men are to be demeaned...

 

[zapataxiv]

We've been over this. English is not my 1st language. This is how I've been taught to refer to babies. I've corrected the post. Why are you still nagging me about this?

As for Daddy Pig...

a. sherdog never forgets
b. hes a pig that has a two story home and is some type of eingneer.

dude has his shit together. dint hate the player bruh. plus you know rabbit would tots let him hit but he aint bout that now with the family life

 

[-Magua-]

Lil bit, but both these cats are cool.

Hank is sneaky wise at livin life & managing though.

 

[El_Dyablo619]

Mike Pence and Ilhan Omar disagree

 

[Phlog]

Its important to give a character a weakness, a man that's competent, intelligent and well paid can only be a supporting character at best imo.

 

[Cole train]

Da fak

Homer is alpha as fuck

-runs a family on his single income

-owns a house
-drunk every night at bar and wife doesnt care because he is so alpha
-Heavyweight title contender in boxing
-astronaut
-former crime boss

 

[Goon Dog]

Most cartoons and all older toons are written for the perspective of kids. What kid wants to watch a show where the alpha dad knows all the answers, needs no help and the kid just follows his lead. Oh, and ...

 

[Anaconda99]

Hank Hill is goat cartoon dad. He stands for no nonesense and sells propane anf propane accesorries.

 

[ufcfan4]

Fred Flintstone wasnt portrayed as lazy
He was a well paid machine operator that also had a pretty active social life outside of work

True. My only issue with the Flintstones is the source material- The Honeymooners- is way better. But it's a fun show for the family.