Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Solid, inspiring docuseries about changing role of dads.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Grown Up Dad
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In GROWN UP DAD, photojournalist Joseph Gidjunis is defining a new model of how to be a good dad in modern society. Having grown up with an uninvolved father, Gidjunis realizes that he wants to parent differently. Finding inspiration from fictional Bluey dad Bandit, Gidjunis wants to be emotionally involved and supportive. He travels the world to interview like-minded dads from other backgrounds and cultures who are also shedding the outdated stereotype of "breadwinner-only" fatherhood. In doing so, Gidjunis hopes to inspire more fathers to embrace the full spectrum of identity that comes with being a dad today.
Is It Any Good?
Host Joseph Gidjunis is a fantastic role model -- he talks the talk and walks the walk of wanting to be fully present in his son's life, and wants to help other dads do the same. Grown Up Dad is a straightforward documentary series about modern fatherhood. While there are introspective and personal moments with Gidjunis, the majority of the series is relatively dry talking-head style interviews and historical footage. That said, if adults are able to wrangle their tweens and teens into watching together, it could spark a great conversation about societal expectations around parenthood and the implications for kids' future lives.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what issues in this documentary series resonate with them. Are there any dads in our lives that are the type of dad host Joseph is trying to be? Do we know dads from other generations that fit the bread-winner only stereotype?
Parents can talk about what kind of parent they are trying to be, and what they hope kids learn about parenting from their example.
If you become a parent, what kind of parent do you want to be?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 1, 2025
- Cast : Joseph Gidjunis
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : June 5, 2025
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