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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The ideal DAD, according to science - and why Modern Family's Phil Dunphy is almost perfect
As Father's Day arrives, many of us will be taking time to reflect on exactly what makes a great dad. Some of the key attributes are surely dependability, honesty, loyalty, involvement, compassion and a sense of fun. But as modern childhood continues to evolve, it can be difficult for fathers to get the overall balance right. Now, scientists have revealed the popular on-screen dads who could help blokes become better parents. Topping the list is Phil Dunphy from Modern Family, who is known for his quirky sense of humour and optimistic outlook on life. Meanwhile, Bandit from Bluey has been called one of greatest dads in fiction due to his playfulness and childlike love for mischief. And when it comes to never-ending dedication and care, Marlin from Pixar 's Finding Nemo is the one to look to. So, how do your parenting skills stack up against these on-screen dads? Phil Dunphy (Modern Family) Phil Dunphy from the American TV series Modern Family is frequently seen as a positive role model. A devoted family man, Mr Dunphy views himself as the 'cool' and 'hip' dad who constantly tries to find ways to bond with his three kids. Surely his most entertaining quality is his never-ending stream of dad jokes, like 'WTF: why the face?' and 'if you love something set it free, unless it's a tiger'. For some children, dad jokes are a cause for utter red-faced embarrassment, but they may also be an example of excellent parenting. Getting a laugh from a child help diffuse that tension and hierarchy and help both parties feel better about a stressful situation. 'Humour can teach people cognitive flexibility, relieve stress, and promote creative problem solving and resilience,' said Benjamin Levi, professor of pediatrics and humanities at Penn State College of Medicine. Bandit (Bluey) The phenomenally successful Australian children's show 'Bluey' follows a family of four human-like dogs – dad Bandit, mum Chilli, and daughters Bluey and Bingo. The dad Bandit has been criticised as being 'unrealistic' because he drops everything to play along with his two daughters' imaginary scenarios. But according to experts, he represents an ideal standard for dads to strive for when it comes to providing care and attention to their children. David Burton and Kate Cantrell, arts lecturers at the University of Southern Queensland, describe Bandit as an 'entertaining and engaged father'. 'He balances the drudgery of housework with the creative escapades of his daughters, repurposing everyday objects and actions for imaginative play and engagement,' they said in The Conversation. Dr David Isaacs, consultant paediatrician at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, called Bandit a 'hands-on father engaged in active play with his children'. 'Bandit often joins in the girls' play, in fact is so involved that some watching Dads report feeling inadequate, although hopefully others feel stimulated to play more with their children,' he said. However, there is a 'darker side' to Bandit, as his playful teasing of his two daughters sometimes turns into bullying, according to Burton and Cantrell. 'He censors himself from engaging in full imaginative play when under the gaze of other men, he teases his wife on the pains of pregnancy and labour,' they said. Daddy Pig (Peppa Pig) In 'Peppa Pig', Daddy Pig is the cheerful, overweight figure who is often considered 'silly' by his family, which has recently gained another member. Ben McCann, associate professor at the University of Adelaide's School of Humanities in Australia, called him 'TV's greatest dad'. 'Daddy Pig is constantly being fat-shamed and ridiculed, yet he remains steadfast and hardworking,' he said in a recent piece for The Conversation. 'He is jovial, explains science to his family, (eventually) listens to his wife and children and, most importantly, never loses his patience.' Daddy Pig is constantly happy to be the butt of his family's jokes, especially regarding his appearance, which has been the subject of controversy in the past. However, Daddy Pig is an example of a 'hapless dad' – one that's clueless and inept when it comes to handling chores and responsibilities. 'Hapless dads struggle to cook, clean or care for children, and rely on others (usually the mother) to bail them out,' said Professor McCann. 'They have good intentions, but they're bad at following through – and their efforts often backfire.' Marlin (Finding Nemo) In Pixar's beloved 2003 film 'Finding Nemo', the clownfish Marlin risks his life to find his lost son Nemo off the east coast of Australia. He promises to never let anything happen to his son – and subsequently spends most of the film trying to keep that promise. However, at the same time, Marlin has been described as a 'negative, 'overprotective' and 'controlling' father whose behaviour is largely dictated by anxious thoughts. Marlin's main characteristics [are] 'overprotective, neurotic, paranoid, and pessimistic,' researcher Yudi Nirwanto at the University of Mataram in a 2017 paper. Clinical psychologist Dr Laura Jean called him 'dad of the year' for overcoming his anxiety and swimming across the ocean to save Nemo. 'At the core he wants his son to be safe but unfortunately, unintentionally his anxiety and safety behaviours push people away and end up confirming his worst fear,' she said. Steven Keaton (Family Ties) Those old enough may remember 1980s sitcom 'Family Ties' set in Columbus, Ohio, which used to be aired on Channel 4 in the UK. It followed the Keaton family, including ex-hippie dad Steven (Michael Gross) and son Alex (Michael J. Fox, later known as the star of the 'Back to the Future' films). While sometimes argumentative, Mr Keaton is shown to be a supportive, diligent and empathetic father who cares about his family deeply. Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, a professor of developmental psychology at the Ohio State University, said Mr Keaton is her 'all-time favorite TV dad'. 'Mr Keaton was a progressive dad who had a more caring and nurturing approach to parenthood,' Professor Schoppe-Sullivan said. '[He] foreshadowed the ways many of today's dads are incorporating more caring masculinities into their identities as fathers. 'As a dad, Steven is warm and affectionate with his children, goofy in an endearing dad-like way, but not incompetent.' Pete Brockman (Outnumbered) Lastly, in BBC sitcom 'Outnumbered', Pete Brockman (Hugh Dennis) endures a chaotic lifestyle as a father of three children, now adults. Despite their constant misbehaving as youngsters, he calmly navigates a hectic family life with deadpan humour. And he always returns rational, sensible explanations to his children's endless barrage of curious questions, without losing his temper. Other TV dads Professor René Mõttus, psychologist at the University of Edinburgh, said other good on-screen dads are Charlie Swan in 'Twilight', Atticus Finch in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and Gomez Addams in 'The Addams Family'. 'In my views, a good father is someone who does not try to shape or interfere,' Professor Mõttus said. 'He lets his children grow into the people they want to become, but he is there when needed. 'I guess this means respecting his children and their privacy and agency and helping them to discover the things they want to discover.' 20 punny 'dad jokes' guaranteed to elicit groans and shaking heads Elevators terrify me... I'm taking steps to avoid them. I got an e-mail saying 'At Google Earth, we can even read maps backwards', and I thought... 'That's just spam...' What do you call a man with no shins? Tony. Me and my friends put a band together, we named it 999 megabytes. Still don't have a gig though. I got into a fight with 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. The odds were against me. I had a dream the ocean was filled with orange soda. It was a Fanta Sea. Just got hospitalized due to a peekaboo accident. They put me in the ICU. In college I was so broke I couldn't afford the electricity bill. Those were the darkest days of my life. I went to the Doctor with hearing problems. He said 'Can you describe the symptoms?' I said: 'Homer's a fat dude and Marge has blue hair.' I said to my wife: 'When I die I'd like to die having sex.' She replied: 'At least it'll be quick.' I've decided I want a pet termite. I'm going to call him Clint. Clint Eatswood. So many people these days are too judgmental. I can tell just by looking at them. How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh? 10-tickles. 'Dad, can you tell me what a solar eclipse is?' No sun. I figured out why Teslas are so expensive. It's because they charge a lot. Guess who I bumped into on my way to get my glasses fixed? Everybody. My wife blocked me on Facebook because I post too many bird puns. Well, toucan play at that game. Did you hear about the new Origami Porn channel? It's paper view only. I was really angry when I ran into my friend Mark who stole my dictionary. I said, 'Mark, my words!' I used to make loads of money clearing leaves from gardens. I was raking it in.
Tatler Asia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
7 memorable quotes from film and TV dads
Phil Dunphy from 'Modern Family' Above Phil Dunphy from 'Modern Family' is a memorable and often quotable dad At first glance, it's classic Phil: a playful pun that combines 'parent' and 'parachute.' But behind the dad-joke exterior is a surprisingly touching sentiment about the safety net that good parents provide. Phil's message? Encourage your children to dream big and take risks. Life will have its stumbles, but the unconditional support of a loving parent can cushion the fall. The 'Parentchute' is his way of saying: 'No matter what happens, I've got you.' More from Tatler: 5 Iconic TV and Movie Dads We Love Eric Taylor from 'Friday Night Lights' Above Eric Taylor from 'Friday Night Lights' This quote cuts straight to the core of what it means to have character. Defeat is inevitable. But what defines you isn't whether you win or lose. It's how you carry yourself when things fall apart. It's about holding onto your values, your integrity and your sense of self. See also : Father's Day 2025: 10 indomitable father-child architect duos Marlin from 'Finding Nemo' Above Marlin from 'Finding Nemo' This joke is Marlin's way of making light of Dory's forgetfulness and general confusion. In the ocean, nothing's funnier than a clown fish. Bob Belcher from 'Bob's Burgers' Above Bob Belcher from 'Bob's Burgers' Classic dad multitasking and affection rolled into one—Bob's love often shines through everyday moments. Luke Danes from 'Gilmore Girls' Above Luke Danes from 'Gilmore Girls' In this moment, Luke is addressing a difficult truth with blunt honesty and deep care. He acknowledges that motherhood is from perfect; but despite those past errors, there is happiness and stability that deserves recognition and support. Atticus Finch from 'To Kill A Mockingbird' Above Atticus Finch from 'To Kill A Mockingbird' Atticus isn't just offering his daughter a lesson in empathy, he's teaching her the foundation of human dignity. This quote is about true understanding, not just tolerance. It asks us to move beyond judgment and see the world as others experience it. NOW READ Father-and-son team Jean-Claude and Pierre Biver on juggling work and family Father's Day 2024: 7 restaurants with special offers for dads The best steakhouses for Father's Day, according to Tatler Best 2025
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
3 Ways To Beat External Attraction While Committed — By A Psychologist
Being in a loving relationship doesn't make you immune to noticing or feeling drawn to others. But acting on those feelings or even letting them take up too much mental space can chip away at the emotional safety and trust in your partnership. Here are three ways to renew your commitment and prevent any possibility of infidelity. Imagine you're at a café, sipping your coffee, when you see someone new walk in and your gaze lingers a little too long. Perhaps, your eyes meet and they give you a fleeting smile. Your mind starts spinning stories: Did you imagine that or was there a spark? Our brains are wired for the thrill of novelty and the magnetic pull of the unknown, so it's not unusual for us to romanticize people. It's called the 'Coolidge effect,' a quirk of biology where attraction fades with familiarity but sparks anew with someone different. For instance, men tend to be aroused by new partners, while women often crave new experiences with the same partner. But in both cases, the same truth applies: habituation dulls the senses, while novelty reignites them. The problem is that the magnetic pull people experience is to the idealized version they've created of the other person in their minds. Our brains are wired to fill gaps with fantasy, transforming strangers into perfect projections of what we crave. When you catch yourself falling into this pattern, you need to rewire the spark to your partner. Start by challenging your fantasies. Next time your mind wanders to 'what if,' pause and ask: 'Am I idealizing a stranger?' Catching yourself red-handed is the first step to focus on what's real. It's also essential to bring novelty back into your relationship. For instance, you can try roleplaying by pretending to meet for the first time to bring back the spark. In the sitcom Modern Family, Phil Dunphy (played by Ty Burrell) and his wife Claire Dunphy (played by Julie Bowen) have a recurring role-playing scenario where they become their alter-egos, Clive Bixby and Juliana, respectively, to spice things up for Valentine's Day. Even though the role-playing leads to some hilarious plot twists, the experiment works for the couple, after all. They feel highly attracted to each other's alter-egos and to each other, as well as experiencing a renewed sense of commitment and satisfaction in their marriage. Pretending to meet your partner for the first time gives you a chance to revisit your very first interaction and play it out differently. You can also try something new together, whether it's a dance class, a road trip or even a deep conversation starter. It's also necessary to voice your desires more often. Unexpressed longing often fuels outside attraction. Say what you've been too shy to ask for, and maybe you'll find your Clive or Juliana in your partner. The intention is to redirect your attraction right back to them. That hollow feeling when conversations skim the surface, when you're together but feeling alone is often the quiet crack that makes outside attention seem irresistible. A significant component of loneliness can be tied to the feeling of not being known or understood by your partner. When you feel disconnected from your partner, even harmless attention from others can feel electrifying, all because you're craving attention or intimacy. Research from the Journal of Family Psychology reveals that our attachment styles may also have a role to play in our likelihood of infidelity. Avoidant partners (those who shy away from closeness) are more likely to cheat while dating as emotional detachment may kill attraction, but ironically, their partners are less likely to cheat in marriage. In contrast, anxious partners — who tend to fear abandonment — rarely cheat while dating, but in marriages, their need for connection can make infidelity more likely. To avoid these behaviors, start by recognizing your emotional patterns in relationships. Ask yourself: Identifying your triggers early can help you improve communication habits and understand where your attraction to someone else is stemming from. Sometimes, feeling disconnected, unseen or unappreciated in your relationship might explain why someone else's attention feels so magnetic. Instead of suppressing or shaming your feelings, use them as a wake-up call to re-invest emotionally in your partner. Schedule undistracted time together, and be vulnerable and transparent about what you need. You can also seek couples therapy to learn how to deepen intimacy. Moderate interdependence, like with neighbors or casual friends, breeds comfort without suffocation. You know them, but your lives aren't fused at the seams. Here, familiarity enhances attraction. But in romantic partnerships, extreme interdependence becomes a double-edged sword. Shared bills, synchronized schedules and endless joint decisions can quietly erode the very spark they were meant to nurture. This is why you need to take steps to starve the fantasy. Limit situations that fuel attraction to someone who isn't your partner by reducing one-on-one time, texting them less frequently and avoiding extended solo interactions. More importantly, create internal boundaries to catch and redirect your thoughts before they spiral. Replace them with affirmations of your commitment or visual memories of meaningful moments with your partner. Remind yourself of why you love your partner and why they love you. Justifying your attraction by replaying recent arguments with your partner might offer temporary relief, but it doesn't strengthen your relationship. It also creates a false sense of connection with the person you're fantasizing about: someone you barely know and whose life with you would not be free of conflict either. Being in a committed relationship means you actively choose your partner not just once, but over and over again, especially in moments of temptation. Attraction may be instinctual, but loyalty is intentional. Do you have an inclination toward cheating on your partner? Take this science-backed test to learn more: Propensity Towards Infidelity Scale
