Sisko and Parenting

[Bry_Sinclair]

I'm not sure how many of you folks follow or are aware of the tumblr covering DS9 and VGR Confessions (there are some great thoughts and comments there from fans of either/both), but one posted today (07/03/18) was about how they didn't like Sisko's behaviour towards kids, saying it was too "clingy" and "too affectionate with kids, especially Jake".

For me Sisko's relationship with Jake is a pinnacle of the show, for as hard edged as he is when on duty saving the galaxy at his core he is a big softy. I love in "Children of Time" when he is holding one of (I'm assuming) descendants how he gives the baby his full attention even as he's answering Dax on the comlink, or how he seems to know every child by name of the station.

 

[Tosk]

they didn't like Sisko's behaviour towards kids, saying it was too "clingy" and "too affectionate with kids, especially Jake".

Says more about the person who said that than it does about Sisko.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

I know, it's pretty sad really. Kinda in line with the macho bull about how "real men don't cry".

 

[Bad Thoughts]

What are the chances that the same poster complains about millenials and the lack of corporal punishment in America?

 

[WraithDukat]

I would agree with you, Sisko was a great dad. My dad was a lot like Sisko.

 

[Nyotarules]

Avery Brooks wanted to dispel the cultural myth that black men make lousy fathers. Well done Mr Brooks.

 

[-Brett-]

Tumblr's gonna be tumblr.

 

[Qonundrum]

Avery Brooks wanted to dispel the cultural myth that black men make lousy fathers. Well done Mr Brooks.

Every family scene with Ben and Jake glued me to the set. Ditto for every cooking scene, there's a familial sense Avery adds to Ben, to either the Sisko family or the DS9 command crew and it's huge in my book.

While Avery wasn't the first - John Amos from "Good Times", along with Esther Rolle, both wanted to fight the stereotyped perceptions and to create worthy role models - the Siskos and DS9 allowed much more room to work with.

And it's sad that the myth existed to the 1990s and even to this day. People going outside will see black men being as excellent fathers as anyone else, if people choose to look. The nightly news can have a negative impact on people. Not intentionally, but it can happen.

Regardless, it's always and genuinely nice to see any good familial role models anywhere, especially when television sells the opposite, often for laughs.

 

[Tosk]

I just saw the actual Tumblr post and it's worth noting that every single reply takes the OP to task. So all hope is not lost.