HOT Dads On Parade...

There seems to be a new phenomenon developing. I call it the "Hot Dad Syndrome" ---- I do not fully understand it, but I also do not particularly mind it ---- I just feel that someone needs to bring attention to this growing epidemic.

To fully understand what I am addressing I will back up to the early to mid 70's and 80's. My parents had me at a very early age. So, when I was five my parents were in the 23 to 28 year old age bracket --- as were their friends at the time. My parents had my younger brother during their middle age so that the parents of most of his friends were a bit younger -- in the 28 to 35 year old age bracket. Now, during these two specific and very different eras, I noticed how the parents looked. The mothers tended to be very "put together" --- a bit on the suburban side of beauty, but good-looking all the same. The dads tended to be rather soft in the middle with pudgy bellies and double chins. The dads dressed in dull clothing which fit their lives as business men. As I remember it, these dads ideas of sport were either golf or fishing. When I discuss my memories with others my age, we all tend to agree that the dads we knew as children were not very good-looking. They were not hot.

In the past 5 years I've noted a real shift in the dynamics of parental units. They are not younger, but they are decidedly more hip and sporty. ...and the dads are HOT. No more pot bellies for this new breed of dad! These dads have six packs and I am not talkin' about beer! True, some golf and fish -- but many climb mountains, play football and listen to Fatboy Slim as they drive the little kiddies around in the family SUV!

The new breed of dad is hot and ready to rumble. In fact, most straight dads seem to be hotter than the average gay single dude in the same age bracket. What gives? Also, many of these hot dads look deceptively gay. If it weren't for the wives I would be left with the assumption that circuit queens were kicking the drugs for kids! It is also interesting to note that while the wives seem to be more youthful than the moms of mine and my brothers' generation, they just aren't as well "put together" They wear tank tops and loose fitting shorts, pony tails and very little make-up. The moms I remember would not be caught dead without their coiffed do's and stylin' platform shoes.

What has caused this shift? Does the modern mom feel that enough is enough --- "we're moms and busy, dammitt!" and why are the dads suddenly gym rats with matching tans and perfect teeth?

What happened to comb-overs and sans-a-belt slacks?

Should we be worried? Or should we just sit back and admire the syndrome that is the HOT Dad?

I vote to sit back and watch as those dads bend over to pick up their tikes and rest easy in the fact that dads can be hot too! ...but who ever thought dads would become high quality eye candy?!?!?!?!?