Here's what dads really want

Editor’s note: This editorial was originally published six years ago today.

It’s still true.

If you beard-stubbled, equal opportunity gender watchers are still waiting for a movie titled “What Men Want,” we’ve got a tip for you: Don’t bother. It’s not in most men’s nature to blurt out wish lists about much of anything.

However, thanks to a Press columnist, readers do have an idea what fathers want today.

Sholeh Patrick recently surveyed a couple dozen pops she knows and discovered what daddies want most: A guilt-free day.

Listen, moms and kids. A brand new big screen TV would be cool. A pristine old sports car? That would put you in the Hall of Fame. But in the realm of most families’ ability to provide, what a lot of dads really want is a day without complaint, a day without demands, a day devoid of drama, a day when the only whining is coming from the old dog next door.

This is not meant to be judgmental or demeaning. It is a sacred duty of dads to provide support for every member of the family, support of both a fiscal and an emotional nature. But if you’re asking, the dads who responded to Sholeh’s survey pretty much echoed what one devoted father said — a whole day to do whatever he wants, freely given: “You know, without someone making a face or comment and then me changing my mind so everyone else will be happy.”

We hope you believe the guy in your household who is lucky enough to be called “Dad” is worth that much. And if not, we can always point you toward a sweet deal on a classic car.