Being a Dad Does Not Equal Bungling

We at The (real) Stepford Wives Club are often ashamed of what we see on television, so much so we collectively decided not to watch it anymore. Our homes are quieter, there's far less excitement at the end of the busy day. When we do watch, we use it as a teaching tool to our youngsters. Sure Homer Simpson is funny, but he's a poor Dad role model. Like Peter Griffin, he's an idiot. But those are cartoons, yet our Tv history is rife with bungling Dad's. Even Father Knows Best was often shown, while he could give sound advice was often manipulated by his wife. And displayed as if "normal."

Herman Munster would jump up and down like a child when he didn't get his way. -- it's a wonder he didn't fall through the floor.

Tim Taylor would grunt and talk about giving everything more power. He also didn't evolve, his wife did and probably once the last kid was out of the house left him.

Even Bill Cosby couldn't enjoy a moment to himself without having a child or his wife boss him around.

And please don't get us started on Everybody Loves Raymond. They might have gotten laughs, but were shown to be quite pathetic without women to help them. This trend continues today with The Middle, Modern Family and the like. These are not men, the way they are portrayed worthy of our submission.

Don Draper

Then there's Mad Men's Don Draper. He works hard, plays hard and seems to genuinely to love his three children.

While we'll admit as a character he's deeply flawed. We would rather have a good provider and not behave like a child or be someone we need to parent.

He is a man who can take care of himself. We at The (real) Stepford Wives applaud that.