The popularization of the “dad bod” is based on how this physique suggests Dad is involved in his kids’ lives.
But isn’t this the same type of body that’s strongly associated with the opposite?
In other words, when we picture a man who’s described as sitting before the TV five hours a day after a desk job, or who spends several hours a day playing video games – just what kind of physique do we conjure up in our heads?
You know doggone well what the image looks like.
When we think of a man who’s very involved with his kids’ active lives – roughing and tussling with them, playing ball with them, hiking with them, running along the beach with them, sledding with them – what kind of physique is he more likely to have?
You know the answer.
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So it vexes me that the “dad bod” has become popular and increasingly alluring to women based on this idea that he looks more involved with his children.
No. He looks LESS involved – and more involved with the TV and computer.
Of course, there are plenty of men with dad bods who are heavily involved with their kids’ lives, and plenty of buff men who don’t spend enough time with their kids.
But we shouldn’t glamorize the dad bod based on some silly idea that it should be associated with a very involved father.
And the involvement need not always be physical.
Involvement, as any sensible adult would and should know, can include passive activities such as board games, chess, arts and crafts, puzzles, helping with schoolwork, building model boats or planes, viewing through a telescope, visiting the planetarium, etc.
A man who spends a heck of a lot of time watching TV, using his computer and playing videogames will not be available to be even passively involved with his kids’ lives.
And what does a man who sits on his can for excessive periods of time watching TV, absorbed in his computer and playing video games usually look like?
You know the answer.
Lorra Garrick is a former personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. At Bally Total Fitness, where she was also a group fitness instructor, she trained clients of all ages for fat loss, muscle building, fitness and improved health.
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