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August 08th, 2019

8/8/2019

5 Comments

 

Where are the Dads?

Picture
I've been reading a lot of MG and YA fiction recently and am noticing a disturbing trend. Where are the Dads? In book after book, the protagonist's father is absent or dead. Occasionally, the Dad exists, but in such an awful way they're practically villains or downright abusive. I haven't encountered a single YA or MG dad in books recently who is a great father.

As a stay-at-home dad, fatherhood's obviously important to me. But then I realized I'd fallen into the same trope. My newest novel-in-progress has an absent father! I hadn't even realized it until today!

Why do books and Hollywood ignore dads as good caregivers? Many writers seek to prevent gender stereotypes for boys, yet do not show the possility of men as nurturing fathers? How often do we see the cartoonish buffoon struggling to raise kids on screen? Or in novels, how often is the dad simply dead or gone?

Have you read books with strong, caring Dads? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
5 Comments
Austin link
8/8/2019 10:10:38 am

Yes know, it's so prevalent that when a Dad DOES show up in a story, I'm just waiting for him to become the villain. Ego is the perfect example. As soon as he showed up in GotG2, I was like, "please don't be this movie's baddie, PLEASE!"

Reply
Chris Mannino
8/8/2019 11:55:39 am

Yes! Just started Land of Stories series and saw the dad described so lovingly. Was hopeful a hot second, but he was dead by the end of chapter one.

Reply
Tina Barbour
8/8/2019 02:37:12 pm

I guess I’m breaking a trend because in my MG, the mom is dead and the dad is single parenting. He’s not perfect, but he’s there.

Recently read MG with Dads who are at least present:

The Wig in the Window— both exist, though they don’t have strong roles.

Book Scavenger— both parents are freelance workers so are home a lot.

Greenglass House—both parents around because they run an inn and live there.

Hmmmm, Dad is not even mentioned in Roller Girl, mentioned but unknown in Under the Egg, not mentioned in Three Times Lucky. I started Absolutely Truly, and the father is present and has a strong role. But he is an embittered military veteran and so far is there as punisher mostly.

Reply
Chris Mannino
8/8/2019 07:52:07 pm

Thanks, Ill check those, and yours!

Reply
Myla R link
6/10/2022 04:24:21 am

Nice post thanks for sharinng

Reply



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