Fathers in Media
Fathers in Animated Shows
A recent observation I made during my new journey into fatherhood, about fathers in visual media. Growing up I had cable for about two years, otherwise I relied on basic television for media entertainment. Recently I realized that I have not observed a positive father on screen. Keep in mind, I have not seen every series ever created, but the ones I noticed did not have a positive father role. I have noticed that fathers in media are typically toxic, incompetent, deceased or not present at all. This is concerning because it is familiarizing a negative depiction of fatherhood. When I think of a father on television I think of: Homer Simpson, Peter Griffin, Son Goku and the list goes on. Makes me wonder, does television have an issue with good fathers?
Son Goku
I have always been a manga/anime and comic lover growing up and have a genuine love for the Dragonball series. Although I do have an issue with the main protagonist. Goku was a decent father during the first few seasons of Dragonball Z. Goku’s fall as a father did not start until his death fighting his brother Raditz and later died again fighting Perfect Cell. After these seasons Goku’s fatherhood seemed to stop and he simply continued to train without the company of either of his two sons. One son he did not even know he had until his wife made it known in the Buu saga. Goku seemed to have abandoned his duties as a father to seek his lust for battle.
Homer Simpson
The Simpsons is a comedy animated series I’d catch often at night for a laugh. Homer Simpson’s simpleminded nature added to the show's comedy. Though I’d hate to consider Homer as a father model. His consistent abuse of his son Bart and his drinking habits now have me question his ability as a father. Although he did seem effective as a provider, working at a local nuclear power planet where he’d somehow cause trouble. Makes me wonder how he manages to sustain his job.
Peter Griffin
Fathers in Movies
Movies explore nonfictional narratives as well as fictions. Fathers in movies range from good, bad, to even psychotic; like in the Shining. Movies have their reasons for writing fathers the way they do and have a more diversified father characteristics compared to animated series. Fathers in movies are typically more absent than bad. Either they passed to dramatize the effect on the children or are not around. Fathers that come to mind in movies are: Darth Vader, Jack Torrance, and Goofy. Each are not total failures as father, each have their own baggage that makes the men they are.
Darth Vader
Darth Vader, the Sith Lord himself. He is well known for the line, “Luke I am your father,” which is still a well quoted line till this day. Star Wars is a great series, which is only fitted by an awesome villain like Darth Vader. Vader never had a chance to be present in his son or daughter's life after his choice to seek the dark side for strength to prevent Pad May’s death. Resulting in his defeat against his once teacher Obi Wan Kenobi. You can even say Darth Vader’s downfall came from not having a present father himself. Which lead him to the dark side. At the end Darth Vader did redeem himself as he sacrifices himself to save his son.
Jack Torrance
Jack Torrance is played by Jack Nickolson in the 1980 psychological horror film. Jack is a father who is a recovering alcoholic and writer who assumes a job at a haunted hotel. There he battles with his individual demons as well as the spirits present in the Overlook. Eventually he goes mad and begins threatening his own family. This movie makes me think of the importance of the mental state of fathers as well as question the mental strength of men. A father needs to have his head in the right place to properly uplift his family. Jack is a prime example as he gives into his demons allowing spirits to corrupt his mind and turn on his own family.
Goofy
The Goofy movie is one of my childhood favorite Disney films. Goofy attempts to be the best father he can be, but he cannot help but be himself. Goofy is noticeably impressionable as he allows his friend Pete to dictate how he fathers his son Max. This causes a shift in nature for Goofy for a period of the movie. Causing Goofy to force Max on a fishing trip where they bond as father and son. Goofy is not a bad father in terms of his efforts. Goofy is more of an example of a man’s failure to grow up as well as having difficulties allowing his child to grow up.
Lessons From Fathers in Media
Along with criticism there should always be lessons and there is a lot to learn from each of these fathers. A father should seek to balance his time with passion and family unlike Son Goku. Practice patience with their children unlike Homer Simpson. Love each child equally unlike Peter Griffin. Do not fall into temptation no matter how good it seems unlike Darth Vader. Be protective over your mental health and seek help unlike Jack Torrance. Lastly practice maturing to become a better father and allow your children to grow into their own people unlike Goofy.
I hope you enjoyed this piece on some fathers in media that are not perfect, but is any father? Next I will have to contrast this post and speak on positive fathers in visual media. Who are some of your favorite fathers in movies or television? They might get mentioned in my next post.