Progression of the American Dad

We have a different brand of father now. Doesn’t every generation deliver a new kind of dad?

Honestly, don’t you sometimes miss the paternal clarity of our youth, the kind that didn’t accept excuses or worry too much about kids’ feelings?

Gruff, old-school fathers seemed so direct and sensible and real. And oddly nurturing, in that tough-love kind of way.

The world can be a wicked place, so there’s something to be said for a swift kick in the butt early on.

When I was a kid — sorry, here it comes — but when I was a kid, if you wanted a new bike, you mowed a few lawns, you raked some leaves. Eventually, you bought yourself a nice Schwinn 10-speed, the gold standard of the day.

Now, who buys the bikes?

We have a different kind of father now. Dare I say a better father? Maybe. Doesn’t every generation deliver a new brand of dad?