AFA Journal, January 2001 Edition

A recent report gives some generally poor marks to Hollywood's portrayal of fatherhood on television, after examining every non-sports entertainment program that aired during prime time on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB in March and April, 2000.

The study was the second annual effort conducted by the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI), a non-sectarian organization that provides resources to promote responsible fathering.

After examining how programs on the six major networks portrayed fathers--when the character was a central, recurring figure--the report applauded the fact that most TV dads were married to the mothers of their children. The group's web site said that "not only reflects the reality that the majority of real-life fathers are married, it also helps promote married fatherhood as the cultural ideal."

However, according to NFI, the study also found that 25% of fathers on TV "are portrayed negatively," and when compared to the moms on the show, dads are eight times more likely to be portrayed in a negative fashion. The report also stated that "if television wants to portray a bad parent, television almost always picks on the father."

The criteria for recognizing how parents were portrayed on TV were: parents as role models; parental involvement in family activities; one-on-one engagement with children; making parenthood the top priority; and general parental competency.

© 2001