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Can't
be 25 years since Michael
Keaton made us laugh as
he bungled through being
Mr. Mom? It's no
laughing matter to a
generation of Dads
working to be the primary
caregiver.
 Don’t
Call Them Mr. Mom, but…
Silver Anniversary of
Classic Comedy Playing
Out in Real Life
Cleveland,
Ohio (2008) – In 1983
Michael Keaton took on a
role that seemed so
farfetched to men
everywhere that they were
rolling up and down the
aisles with laughter. The
classic comedy,
“Mr. Mom,” toyed with
the conventions of
marriage and parenthood,
basically examining what
life would be like if the
husband was responsible
for everything that moms
do. Today however this
bit of Hollywood fiction
is much more of a
reality. In fact, in the
past decade the number of
stay-at-home dads has
tripled.
The impetus for this
transition can be traced
back to the roots of
marriage. Today couples
are waiting longer to
marry and thus are more
settled into their lives.
Being more advanced both
personally and
professionally has led to
more partnership among
today’s husbands and
wives, and much more give
and take in the
challenging task of
bringing up kids.
 Today’s
dads more like mothers?
While more dads are
staying home, even those
who balance work and
family are becoming more
in tune with their
maternal side…so to
speak. Through research
on the new role of dad in
the family, sociologists
have found that dads
today hug their kids
more, help out with
homework more and tell
their children they love
them more often. In fact,
sociologist Scott
Coltrane of the
University of California,
Riverside was quoted in a
piece for Time magazine
last October stating
that, “fathers are
beginning to look more
like mothers.”
Showing a more
sensitive side and
forging a truer
partnership with mom are
only some of the things
that today’s dads are
doing. And yes even with
the new face of dad in
society the old
conventions still apply.
He is still the Mr.
Fix-It, grill master and
tool extraordinaire that
we have come to know and
love, but now he also
devotes significant time
and attention to his
family.
Celebrating today’s
dads
This Father’s Day,
celebrated Sunday, June
15, will be very similar
to those past. Dads will
receive thoughtful gifts
and cards that explain
how great he is, and
possibly poke a little
harmless fun at his
expense. But the
sentiments behind the
celebration and gifts
reflect more personal
relationships on the
whole. For instance, the
newest greeting cards for
dad still have a great
focus on humor, but they
also include more
conversational copy and
real-life situations to
reflect the closer bonds
shared today.
And while no one is
advised to address any
cards, To: Mr. Mom ---
telling him just how
great he is in a way that
truly reflects the
relationship you have
would probably be the
best gift he could ask
for.
Source:
American Greetings |
