Welcome to Dad’s Corner.  Each of my columns focuses on particular “fatherhood” issues, as well as suggestions on how to address them.  I’ll also provide links to other sites for further reference, where possible.  I definitely welcome your own comments and advice as well. Together as fathers, we’ll share our thoughts on how best to guide our children, nurture them and support them along the way.

There's been a change in the portrayal of fathers in TV situation comedies over the past two decades.   In the 80s and 90s, TV sitcom dads like Danny Tanner (Full House), Cliff Huxtable (The Cosby Show) and Dan Conner (Roseanne), were seen in varying degrees as caring fathers actively involved in the nurturing of their children,  and who generally enjoyed spending time with their  families. 

TV family sitcoms in the latter part of the 90s (and continuing today), however, introduced another type of dad.  Represented by Homer Simpson (The Simpsons), Ray Barone (Everyone Loves Raymond) and Peter Griffin (Family Guy), these TV sitcom fathers appear much more inept, immature, irresponsible and self-centered than their 80s counterparts -- acting as if family obligations are more of a nuisance than an opportunity to share quality time. 

While there's no denying contemporary TV sitcom dads are popular with many viewers, are they having a negative influence on the children watching these programs -- when it comes to relationships with their own "real-life" dads?

Debbie Mandel, M.A., sees these characters as having such an impact.  The Long Island-based host of "Turn on Your Inner Light" on WGBB/1240AM  -- as well as the author of Addicted to Stress and other self-help books -- believes that when children view these stereotypes on TV without guidance, it compromises their respect for authority and support of dads.  Mandel's belief is based on her own observations of families that she has interacted with as part of her studies over the past few years.

"Humor is a great persuader," says Mandel.  "First, you’re laughing and then you get suckered into the idea.  Frequently viewing these shows desensitizes you to the message, the way you get desensitized when you view sex and violence on TV.  And, if you consider how much time children spend viewing these stereotypes, these conscious and subconscious characteristics are being transmitted to children.  So, (watching them on television) may undermine dads at home by having their kids question their rules, imitate and make jokes about them, and use body language like rolling their eyes to defiantly control their conversations with them.