A comparison of two comic strips from the same day shows a typical portrayal of fathers (Marvin) and a more respectful portrayal (Baby Blues.) In the bottom strip dad is caricatured as a clueless dolt; in the top strip dad takes on a thankless role of leadership. I enjoy both strips generally; both have good writing and visual style.
This example from Marvin is typical of media portrayals—dad as a usually good-hearted and usually incompetent bumbler, who usually needs rescue by his spouse. We can do better. And would culture / audience tolerate this Marvin strip if mom was the clueless dolt? (I think probably not.)