Becoming a father brings on a certain amount of dad cliches. Many of them are fun: a sudden love of cheesy jokes, an inexplicable increase in “dad strength,” and a deep and profound love of grilling. But there are also father stereotypes that are less fun, specifically when it comes to being a single dad. Many of these unfair stereotypes often include assuming the father isn’t as equipped as a mother to raise kids, thinking dads are better at being their kid’s friend than being their parent, or assuming some are destined to become deadbeat dads.

Single dads, vote up the stereotypes you’re sick of hearing the most.

• • 1

    We don’t handle the responsibilities of parenting as well as single moms.

• • 2

    Our kids need their moms more than they need us.

  • 3

    We don’t deserve as much time with our kids as their mothers do.

  • 4

    We can’t handle the pressure.

  • 5

    We aren’t good nurturers.

  • 6

    We’re clueless about cooking, housekeeping, and laundry.

  • 7

    We’re deadbeat parents.

  • 8

    If we’re unmarried, we’re harming our children by raising them as single dads.

  • 9

    We didn’t choose to be single dads.

• • 10

    We’d rather live a bachelor’s life.

  • 11

    We don’t need a support system.

  • 12

    We can’t raise girls as well as a mother can.

• • 13

    We don’t know how to express our feelings.

  • 14

    We’re better at being our child’s pal than parent.

  • 15

    We resent being single fathers.

• • 16

    We’re only good at raising older kids, not infants or toddlers.

  • 17

    We’re not as effective at our jobs outside the home.

  • 18

    We’re all divorced or wealthy widowers.

•       19

        We’re just like Mr. Mom.

•     20

        If we’re gay single dads, our kids need a female parenting figure.