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Pop Quiz: Are There Still 'Good Dads'?

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By STEVE OTTO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 15, 2008

It's Sunday - Father's Day - and here I am sitting in front of my new 50-inch Bluetooth High Definition TV the Frau surprised me with this morning, getting ready to watch Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the final pairing for the U.S. Open.

On the TV table next to me, I can reach chips and guacamole as well as that frosty mug of beer without even stretching.

My two dogs, Sabrina and Tennessee, are curled up on either side of my recliner. From the outside I can already smell the steaks on the grill that one of my sons is handling, while his two brothers finish up the weeding around the plant beds and then vacuuming and cleaning out the cars.

OK, so even you don't buy that one.

The better likelihood is that I'm trying on those expandable-waist slacks she bought at Sears on sale. The reality is that one of our boys is in Washington and another is visiting a girlfriend in Orlando. I'm writing this a couple of days ago and don't know if Woods and Mickelson even made the cut. It doesn't matter because the Frau will be watching the "Murder, She Wrote" marathon. The dogs might have curled up, but only to see if I spilled any chips and guacamole, which I don't have anyway because the Frau figures I ought to be snacking on celery.

Yeah, the reality of Father's Day seldom matches the fantasy.

But then, if you believe everything you read and see, neither do the fathers.

An Image Thing

I haven't heard much on the plus side about fathers in a long time.

I know I don't see them on the tube. Back in the '50s, fathers were portrayed as having a sense of responsibility or even "manhood" on "Father Knows Best" and "Ozzie and Harriet."

But even then it was obvious that, although they might have thought they ran the family, they really were only props, sort of like the family dog.

These days, dads are barely socially acceptable. In fact, they seem to be an endangered species whose few values science will almost certainly be able to eliminate soon.

I go to lectures and hear about absent fathers, abusive fathers, deadbeat dads, you name it. The ones you see on the news are the assistant coach dads going whacko and punching out a referee. Or who play in a bowling league three nights a week.

Yeah, in the greater scheme of things, dads are pretty down there with politicians and journalists in popularity.

In Defense Of The Old Man

My only defense is that I know a lot of good dads. I know plenty of responsible fathers. I know dads taking care of grandchildren and fathers who work multiple jobs so their kids can maybe stay in school.

Not all fathers are beer-swigging couch potatoes. Some actually do show up at PTA meetings. Some are good guys, who take a shower more than once a week and who make decisions that keep families together instead of tear them apart.

Oh, I know it seems a stretch to believe such creatures exist. You never see them or read about them but they really are out there.

So here's to you guys. I wish there were more of you, but I also know there are more than we give credit for. So unwrap those socks and ties, enjoy your day, then go help with the dishes.

Keyword, Otto Graphs,

to read and comment on Steve Otto's blog.

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