Pop Culture Fathers' Hall of Fame (Shame)

The progression (or maybe that's regression) of a father's role in pop-culture is fun to look at.  So that's what I'm going to do.  From time to time I'll post a father character from pop culture fame and highlight some of his characteristics and what made him so memorable.  It's interesting because I think you can tell a lot about how fathers were viewed in society at different times from their depiction in media.  From Mr. Cleaver to Homer Simpson fathers have come a long way.

Let's get started with one of my favorite fathers from television.

Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie

He gets double the points for being based on a real guy (see a photo of the real Charles below).

I always liked Charles for his ability to gauge what was needed from him in any given scenario and get the job done.  And when the job was done he'd always have a heartfelt smile awaiting.  Need to rough up some outlaws - no problem.  Harvest needs finishing up...broken ribs?  Not a problem.  Heck he could build a cottage, catch some fish, find his children in a blizzard, and save Walnut Grove from some calamity all before dinner and still have some energy left over to break out the fiddle.

He was John Wayne meets James Dean - a man not afraid to show his vulnerability but whose vulnerability never hindered him from overcoming any obstacle be it nature, man or himself.   He was the epitome of the tough guy father who was still always emotionally available to his family - not to mention always there when the needed him.  How many times did we see him cry for or about his family?  I lost count but you still never doubted that he was the man.  When he needed to, he'd wipe those tears away, pick himself up and by George get the task done.

Yes, in my opinion, pop culture and our world could use more fathers like Charles Ingalls.