Father’s Day Countdown 3

Although not specifically a father’s day issue, how men are portrayed in the media does have a direct input on the value of men as fathers.  A recent commercial for paint really got my goat.   The first image was a women in a business suit sitting on a hotel bed “skyping” with her husband and children on her laptop.    The husband, presumably the children’s father, is shown in a tight shot with three children sitting in a kitchen.   She asks if everything is OK at home.  He answers that everything is under control.  The next scene is an expanded view of the kitchen totally trashed with all sorts of writing and drawing on the walls.   Of course the mother does not see this on her computer.  The narrator then pipes in that it is a good thing they used a particular brand of paint in the house so that these walls can be cleaned before the mother returns from her business trip.    I guess the paint company wants us to identify with the helpless Dad who cannot manage his children and allowed them to scribble all over the household walls.  I feel certain that the advertising agency which came up with this commercial thought it was humorous and reflected what they think is only a mild exaggeration of fathers who are unable to parent their children.  I find the underlying message to be offensive to all fathers who quite capably parent their children whether or not their wive’s are present.  In my opinion this advertisement is just one more example of how men are identified in the media as being inept needing advice and approval from a women in order to respond to life’s challenges.  Without their guidance, guys are just screw ups who avoid meeting responsibilities – especially those dealing with family business.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *