10 Ways Bob Belcher Is The Best Cartoon Father

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Bob always does his best to promote his restaurant, the titular Bob’s Burgers, often with little success. However, while he might not be the best businessman, he’s a wonderful family man. He is especially close to his youngest Louise, but he also knows how to bond with Tina and Gene as well.

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Many father characters in cartoon sitcoms have long been portrayed as bumbling dads who often struggle to bond with their children and fail to be proper parental figures. Bob Belcher is unique in that he is a hardworking man and an open-minded, caring parent to his kids. He might be exasperated by their antics, but what makes Bob a great father is how he loves and accepts his children no matter what.

Bob Works Tirelessly For His Children

Bob works to the point of being a workaholic. However, he works extra hard when it comes to his kids. One of the best examples is when he starts working nights as a taxi driver to pay for the 13th birthday party Tina wanted.

Bob doesn’t just stop there. He even shaves his mustache to give to Jimmy Pesto just so Tina can have Jimmy Jr. at her party, which is a perfect demonstration that Bob goes the extra mile for his kids. There are plenty of episodes where Bob dedicates himself to doing anything to help his kids get what they want or need.

Bob Supports His Son’s Feminine Interests

Bob generally gets along with all of his kids but somewhat struggles with his son Gene. Due to their contrasting personalities, Bob and Gene’s attempts at bonding tend to be awkward. Yet, it doesn’t stop them from getting along, as Bob accepts Gene’s eccentricity.

Additionally, Bob also supports Gene’s feminine side. He doesn’t criticize any of Gene’s femininity, whether he’s wearing a dress or taking up cheerleading. Since most fathers in cartoons tend to get their sons interested in traditionally masculine activities, it’s refreshing to see Bob be open to the idea of his son exploring his feminine side.

Bob Allows Tina To Be A Teenager

It’s a bit of a common staple for animated fathers to be comically overprotective of their daughters. Bob is much more reasonably protective. Although he sometimes understandably has trouble accepting that his teenage daughter Tina is growing up, he never stops her from pursuing her interests.

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Bob is not only okay with her fanfiction hobby, but he also supports her interest in boys and doesn’t even mind seeing her kiss a boy. Best of all, Bob even reminds her that as a young lady, she has autonomy and can kiss who she wants. This is a very progressive move from a father since it’s rare to see fathers in media be that open-minded when it comes to their daughters.

Bob Lets His Kids Voice Their Opinions

Most sitcoms feature the father’s children belittling their father or having some kind of general disdain. This is not the case with Bob and his children. Although Bob’s kids don’t always respect their father, he does know how to respect his kids.

Bob’s kids actually appreciate him and never mean any insult thrown at him. In fact, Bob can take what they dish out and is fine with letting them speak their minds. Bob’s kids are opinionated individuals, but he never discourages them from thinking differently. As a result, Tina, Gene, and Louise are fairly confident and self-assured in their own ways.

Bob Knows About Boundaries With His Kids

Another thing that makes Bob and Linda different is how they set up boundaries. Linda is a great mother, but she tends to be overbearing and smothering to her kids. Bob, on the other hand, knows what lines not to cross and never pushes anything onto the kids.

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However, Bob is also not a distant father at all. Another common stereotype for cartoon fathers is how they often don’t have time for their kids and then overstep their boundaries when attempting to do so. Bob is present in his kids’ lives and knows how to respect their boundaries, and it’s why he is arguably the kids’ favorite parent.

Bob Avoids Repeating His Father’s Mistakes

Bob doesn’t have the best relationship with his father “Big Bob” Belcher. Throughout the show, Bob goes out of his way to ensure he doesn’t make his father’s mistakes with his own children. In “Bob Fires The Kids” he lets his children stop working in order to give them a better childhood than he did.

Bob also lets his kids express themselves and never forces them to do anything they don’t want. When comparing his childhood to his kids’, it’s clear that Bob has done a pretty good job of making sure his children are happy.

Bob Can Let His Children Know When He’s Messed Up

Bob isn’t a perfect person, and he knows it. His kids might make fun of him sometimes, but they also respect him when he owns up to his mistakes. Bob is humble by nature and is prone to getting himself into crazy situations.

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However, one of Bob’s biggest saving graces is how he can always admit when he’s messed up. He sets up a good example this way for his kids as they all demonstrate their own humility when they make mistakes, too. Additionally, Bob also seldom gets upset when they make mistakes and tries to be as understanding as possible.

Bob Has A Healthy Relationship With His Wife

Bob is not only a good father, but he’s also a pretty decent husband to his wife Linda. He might not always have her energy, but it’s obvious that she’s his best friend, and he loves spending time with her. Bob treats Linda as a partner and as an equal. Their relationship is also a good influence on their kids, as Bob and Linda are both loving and caring toward them.

Bob presents himself as a loyal, respectful husband for his children to see, which is especially refreshing in an adult cartoon. Since Homer Simpson, Peter Griffin, and Stan Smith are crude and childish towards their wives, it highlights how Bob is a genuinely good example of a good husband and father.

Bob Helps His Daughters With Their Issues

Tina and Louise are Bob’s daughters, whom he is quite close to. He is arguably closest to Louise, but he and Tina have a strong bond as well, all because Bob knows how to help them with their own respective issues with adolescence, femininity, and individualism.

Bob gives Tina the freedom to explore her teenage interests even when it imposes on their activities together. Bob also helps the usually tough Louise with sensitive issues such as using public bathrooms or her fear of growing distant from him. Most of the time, fathers have strained relationships with their daughters, but Bob continues to strengthen his relationship with his daughters.

Bob Promises To Always Show Up For His Kids

Bob manages to balance working in his restaurant and being a father to his kids. Yet, if he had to choose, he would choose his family. Bob goes above and beyond to be present in his kids’ lives and puts up with a lot to show his devotion.

Bob not only shows up whenever they need him to, but he even lets them know verbally that he will always come and help them when they need it, even when they’re adults. Tina, Gene, and Louise know they can rely on Bob, as he never denies them. For all his flaws, Bob always comes through for his kids no matter what.

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