Contemporary Fatherhood in Television

Bandit vs Bob: A Comparative Analysis of Contemporary Fatherhood in Television

In a media landscape long dominated by stereotypes of bumbling dads, passive or emotionally distant fathers, both Bluey and Bob’s Burgers stand out for offering more emotionally intelligent portrayals of modern masculinity and fatherhood. Bob Belcher and Bandit Heeler are both loving husbands and involved dads who reject toxic masculinity and support their children’s growth. However, when comparing the two, Bandit emerges as the more consistently present and emotionally available father figure. This is due not only to his parenting style, but also to the cultural values and beliefs embedded within the text of Bluey, which position Bandit as a model of progressive, shared parenting in a contemporary Australian context.

Both Bluey and Bob’s Burgers are texts that challenge outdated and overused gender tropes of fatherhood. They reflect evolving social attitudes that increasingly value emotional openness, work-life balance, and shared responsibility in parenting. However, Bob’s Burgers still reinforces the belief that fathers are defined primarily by their role as providers. Bob is almost always at the grill, running his burger shop and struggling to keep the business afloat. While he is deeply affectionate, quirky and supportive, his time with his (autistic) children - Tina, Gene and Louise - is often incidental, squashed in between customer orders, health inspections and the chaos of a working-class life.

In contrast, Bluey presents Bandit in an aspirational light, shaped by the show’s attitude that fathers should be fully present in their children’s emotional and imaginative lives. The show reflects a belief in the centrality of play as a vehicle for learning and connection and positions Bandit as a father who lives this value. Across countless episodes, Bandit is seen actively engaging in role-play, storytelling, and physical games that require him to be attuned to his daughters’ needs, feelings and development. He is not just reacting to their worlds; he is immersed in them.

This difference in narrative focus - Bob as worker-dad vs Bandit as play-dad - reflects two different cultural attitudes toward parenting. Bob’s role is shaped by the economic pressure of survival in a capitalist, working-class American setting. His love is expressed through constancy, humour, and defence of his children’s quirks. But the text’s structure often limits the emotional depth of his fathering, portraying family moments as short-lived gags between restaurant scenes. In contrast, Bluey reflects a middle-class Australian belief in the value of presence, gentleness, and emotional availability in parenting. This is evident in episodes like Sleepytime, where Bandit’s love is not comedic but cosmic with a father cradling the universe for his child.

Importantly, the representation of time in each show also speaks volumes. Bandit seems to always be available, whether at the park, home, or on holiday, which reflects the show’s idealised belief in prioritising childhood as a sacred and fleeting stage of life. Bob, however, is often portrayed as missing out, constantly distracted, interrupted, or physically separated from his kids due to work. While this adds realism to Bob’s Burgers, it also reflects a cultural acceptance that fathers must sacrifice time for financial provision.

In conclusion, while both Bob and Bandit are refreshingly positive representations of fatherhood, it is Bandit who better embodies the evolving values and beliefs of 21st-century parenting. Bluey offers a vision of fatherhood grounded in emotional intelligence, presence, and imaginative connection - ideals that position Bandit as not just a good dad, but an aspirational one. By embedding these values in the themes of its episodes, Bluey teaches its young viewers - and perhaps their parents - what fatherhood could be.