Deadbeats, Duds and Doofusses: Dads in the Media

Article here. Excerpt:

'These are tough times to be an American dad, and indeed, an American man. The recession, or "mancession," as it's been called, hit men harder than women; male unemployment was 8.9 percent compared to 8 percent for women in May. Adding insult to injury, leftwing journalists have sniggered about the plight of the "beached white male." In 2010, women became the majority in the work force for the first time in history. More women receive college degrees than men do.

Culturally, in article after magazine article, on TV and in films, fathers and men in general are portrayed as hapless bumblers at best, abusive deadbeats at worst.

Sure, dads are useful as sperm donors as the media proudly tells us of "career women" who "can have it all" including a baby without a husband. They're useful as ATMs, too even some more practical feminists will admit. But to the Washington Post, they're blustering know-it-alls, in detergent ads they're prudish kill-joys, and household annoyances on a par with muddy dogs. Googling the phrase "Who needs men?" draws 355,000 results, including big stars crowing about artificial insemination. The rise of "gay chic" and the relentless smudging of traditional gender lines have devalued manliness, even as male politicians, entertainers and star athletes highlight the less-than-admirable male traits in scandals.'