The 'Dad Tax': How low expectations earn fathers praise for basic parenting

In a lighthearted essay, the author reflects on the surprisingly easy path to appearing like a competent father, largely due to lowered societal expectations.

He recounts a moment on a train where a woman smiled at him, not as a potential romantic interest, but as a seemingly capable dad managing two children. This, he explains, is a common experience for fathers, often met with approving smiles, particularly from women.

The author distinguishes between a smile for a child's cuteness and one acknowledging a father's perceived effort. While both are pleasant, the latter, he admits, brings an internal sense of triumph, akin to a "Bamse-villain getting away with mischief."

He humorously suggests that fathers can exploit these low expectations. Simply being in public with children, especially engaging in activities like carrying them or going on outings, can earn praise. The key, he implies, is to hide the less glamorous aspects of parenting, like repeated complaints or the sheer effort involved, and present a facade of effortless capability.