When you speak of single parenting what is your first thought? Most of you would say that your first thought is that of a woman raising her kids alone. It is true, the mother heads 84% of single parent families. There is a small group, however, of custodial single parent dads. Approximately 16% of single parents raising their children are dads. I think that they should be recognized too. I am sure that there are many more dads who would love to raise their children, but for different reasons this does not happen. For every dad who takes an active role in their children’s lives whether they have custody or not, thumbs up to you. Your children will remember.
Although there were no well-known single dads that came to mind, other than Prince Charles, here is a list of single parent television dads that some of you in the older age group might remember. This will take you back.
Single Parent Television Dads:
Bonanza (1959-1973) Ben Cartwright raised his three (or was it four?) cowboy sons on his own.
My Three Sons (1960-1972) Steven Douglas raised his three sons with the help of his uncle until he met his new wife and stepdaughter, Dodie.
The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) Sheriff Andy raised Opie with the help of Aunt Bea.
The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971) Remember Jed Clampett? He raised his daughter, Ellie May, and nephew, Jethro, with the help of Granny. She was a stitch, wasn’t she?
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father (1969-1972) Tom Corbett raised little Eddie with the help of, I think, an Asian housekeeper, if I am not mistaken.
Family Affair (1966-1971) Although not their father, Uncle Bill and butler, Mr. French, raised Cissy, Buffy and Jody as their own.
Full House (1987-1996) Danny Tanner raised three darling daughters with the help of his brother and sister-in-law. It was one big happy family in that household.
Okay, so almost all of these television dads had help, but they did the majority of the caregiving themselves in the raising of their children. The important thing is that they were there and really cared and we could all use a little help sometimes, right?
Angel Lynn writes in weight loss, single parenting, and health