For perky Janice Anderson, Father didn’t just know best; for this mid century teen her Pop was her pal.
Of course what wholesome teenager doesn’t dream about fun with her father? And what Dad doesn’t dream about dating his daughter ( just ask Donald Trump).
Well apparently some youngsters needed nudging.
This 1959 public service ad that ran in comic books was part of a campaign encouraging youngsters of all ages to “Join the Fun with Pop Campaign” with the campaign promise “For Happier Kids.”
True Romance…True Togetherness
(L) Vintage comic book “I Love You” Charlston Publications 1959 (R) Public Service ad “Fun with Pop.” Comic books often ran single page features with social, patriotic, and health related messages and these public service ads taught kids lessons on the world around them, such as free speech, prejudice and family values.
Tucked in between the colorful. pages of a True Love comic book filled with heart throbbing stories about the rough road to love in the quest for Mr. Right., was a public service ad for the ultimate Mr. Right…who was right under your nose – dear old dad.
For the most part, Dads had been second thoughts when it came to parenting but by mid century America in that age of togetherness there was a new kind of Dad. American Dads coast to coast were getting involved in child care, a trend so remarkable Life Magazine gushed enthusiastically on the phenomenon, calling the New American Domesticated Male the greatest advances in parenting.
Vintage Public Service ad “Fun With Pop” from “I Love You”Comic Charlston Publications 1959
Take the story of Janice
Janice was in a jam. Her steady Doug had come down with a nasty cold leaving this high school miss dateless for the big dance.
Vintage Public Service ad “Fun With Pop” from “I Love You”Comic Charlston Publications 1959
That’s when her dad stepped up in a big way to become her date. And what a dreamy date he was, attentive, charming and boy oh boy could he cut a rug.
Vintage Public Service ad “Fun With Pop” from “I Love You”Comic Charlston Publications 1959
Sure diamonds are a girls best friend, but all gals know your Pop is your pal!
Happy Fathers Day!
Envisioning The American Dream 
For horror comic, just add incest. Remember, there’s a horrific amount of girls and women out there who have to grit their teeth through Father’s Day and all anti-Disney memories it engenders.
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Thank you for bringing up an oftime not discussed, difficult fact. For some, Fathers Day connotes very different feelings.
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I appreciate your willingness to acknowledge it. I know your post was mean to be lighthearted but something about the whole Mad Men/50s/sexist trope feel of that particular comic strip triggered my sense of justice.
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Viewed through the lens of an incest survivor, it can be creepy indeed. I felt it even as I posted it….the sunny innocence of that time period blinded us to the darkness that lingered never far from the surface and behind closed doors. Thanks for the card…it’s actually quite perfect.
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