The Commercialization of Fatherhood

By Jim McGaw

Are the Latest Resources for Dads Helpful, or Simply Patronizing?






What's new for dads?

Here’s a rundown of some of the newer products, Web sites and programs out there, as well as some time-honored favorites.

How Fatherhood Has Changed

"Does father know best?" Hear Parenthood editor-in-chief Bill Lindsay talk about today's dad on World Talk Radio. Click here to listen. 
Ever hear Woody Allen’s line about the two elderly women at a Catskills mountain resort? One of them says, “Boy, the food at this place is really terrible.” The other one replies, “Yeah, I know. And such small portions.”


The joke could easily have applied to the state of resources available to fathers just 10 years ago: lousy, and not enough of them. But that’s all changing now. Finally, there are substantial resources available that are specifically tailored to dads seeking advice and guidance in parenting matters unique to men. The commercialization of fatherhood is fast becoming a cottage industry.


Still, experts say, too few dads are taking advantage of these resources and those who do often find themselves patronized by trite or shallow advice that presumes a father’s lesser standing as a parent. For every substantial book, Web site or program that truly helps dads, there a half-dozen others that not only say, “Father doesn’t know best,” but that, in fact, he doesn’t know squat.


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