What does Hollywood have against fathers?

OPINION:

Hollywood has always had an interesting and problematic relationship with fathers.

Back in the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood, fathers were treated with some respect, even in comedic movies such as the 1950 version of “Father of the Bride,” 1947’s “Life with Father” and the classic 1944 musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.” These featured men were trying to do the best they thought they could for their families, but they needed their wives and sometimes their children to help them make the “right” decisions.

Sometimes, fathers were portrayed as angry and insensitive, such as in the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which features an intense scene where George Bailey takes out his frustrations on his wife and children with an emotional outburst that leaves them in tears. (This is before he encounters Clarence, his guardian angel.) Of course, George finally realizes what a blessed man he is to have his family and friends, regardless of the shattered personal dreams that led to the anger he directed at his family.

These movies came to mind as I read a recent piece by Joseph Holmes for the Institute for Family Studies on Hollywood’s portrayal of fathers over the past year. Mr. Holmes cites films such as “Superman,” “Frankenstein,” “One Battle After Another” and “Sovereign” as examples of the rash of Hollywood portrayals of fathers in a negative light.

He writes that although fatherhood seemed to be a recurring theme in many of the year’s releases, the real theme was that fathers, in his words, “have bad instincts when it comes to parenting and can only be a good parent when they learn to follow a woman’s lead.”

Thus, not much has changed in terms of how Hollywood has viewed fathers. What has changed is that fathers are no longer treated with respect, even if they might be misguided. Now they are treated with contempt.

Like other things that changed in the 1960s, Hollywood’s portrayal of fathers turned darker. In many movies, dear old dad became a physical or emotional abuser who inflicted trauma on his wife and children, leaving them with external and internal pain. Or they were portrayed as weak men who let their strong-willed wives run roughshod over them, becoming objects of pity.

Unfortunately, as history has shown, the messages sent from Hollywood greatly impact culture. Films of the late 1930s and early 1940s convinced Americans of the need for our country to enter World War II. Films of the 1960s promoted sexual promiscuity and anti-war/anti-authority messages.

When fathers are depicted as figures unworthy of respect, our culture devalues and disrespects fathers, with devastating consequences for our society. As Mr. Holmes writes: “The way Hollywood teaches us to see the world, and in particular family life, is a big part of how we see it. Unfortunately, its portrayal of fatherhood largely encourages a devaluing of fathers’ unique strengths just when they’re needed most.”

What are those strengths? Stability, leadership and empowering their children to take risks and become independent, productive citizens.

Although it’s wonderful that Hollywood repeatedly affirms the critical role that women play in the family structure — as nurturers, encouragers and comforters of their children — the lack of balance in portrayals has led to a culture that devalues or denies children the model of healthy masculine leadership.

The result: We have boys who see no male role models on screen or in their lives. When they have no examples to follow, they struggle and often become living embodiments of Hollywood’s version of masculinity and fatherhood.

Girls are denied a healthy perspective of what a loving, caring father is. They see only the extremes portrayed: the harsh authoritarian or the weak-willed mouse, neither of which is worthy of respect. This makes an impact on girls’ decisions when it comes to male relationships, particularly marriage.

The time has come for Hollywood to affirm the critical, healthy roles that good fathers and mothers play in their children’s lives, rather than focusing on what an unhealthy father is. By showing balanced portrayals on screen, Hollywood can play the role it loves to play — shaping culture and public opinion — but in a way that makes a positive impact on our society.

• Timothy S. Goeglein is vice president of external and government relations for Focus on the Family. He served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and as a deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. His latest book is “Stumbling Toward Utopia” (Fidelis Publishing, 2024).