Home / Arts and Entertainment / Gen Alpha & Z Want Real Dads Onscreen
Gen Alpha & Z Want Real Dads Onscreen
25 Feb
Summary
- Young audiences prefer onscreen fathers showing love and parenting.
- Media often assumes male audiences want stoic, independent heroes.
- Teens value emotional availability, patience, and empathy in men.
Young audiences, specifically Generation Alpha and Z, are expressing a clear preference for media that depicts fathers actively engaged in parenting and showing affection to their children. A survey from UCLA's Center for Scholars & Storytellers indicates that by a five-to-one margin, these age groups favor such positive fatherly representations.
The report challenges decades of media creation assumptions that young male viewers primarily seek out stoic, independent heroes. Instead, the data suggests a strong desire for male characters who exhibit empathy, patience, and emotional availability.
Examples of desired portrayals include nuanced, human characters like Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch from HBO Max's 'The Pitt.' This character serves as a flawed but relatable mentor, embodying the values that young viewers find most important.
Creators are urged to reimagine how men are depicted onscreen, moving beyond the 'stoic provider' or 'distant hero' archetypes. The survey underscores that audiences value emotional connection and engagement in male roles, across various relationships like father, mentor, coach, or teacher.
