Ethnography Rough Draft

As I arrived at my friend’s home, I realized that he would be the one to change my mind on stereotypes. He walks out of his front door wearing blue jean shorts, a plain blue tank top, and white sneakers. A typical schedule for Antonio, a 30 year old father, is as busy as can be expected when taking care of a one year old. Waking up in a different household, he gets ready for the day early. First, he makes sure she has eaten and has a fresh diaper, completely confidently and anything but hesitantly. Then, he loads her up into her stroller and takes her for a walk. Kicking and smiling, she seems to enjoy the alone time with her daddy. That is how a typical day gets started, unless it rains.

All day long he plays with her. His favorite game to play is what he calls monster. He hides behind the couch and when she ecstatically turns the corner, he jumps forward and growls at her. He says it’s his favorite because, “she laughs and jumps,” at him. Making sure she is fed, has a clean diaper, and is happy, is his first priority. She loves the attention he gives her and it is heart-warming seeing him play with her.

In between the playing and feeding, I got a chance to get a word in. When I asked if he had any regrets, he paused for a moment. As he went to speak, I could tell he was a little ashamed. His regrets included not finishing school, not having a career to support his family, having a temper occasionally and not listening to his mother. Watching him play assured me that there are many sides to him.

As the day was slowly passing, it was time for some games for daddy. As he sits down to play his favorite game on his computer, World of Warcraft, she sleepily walks toward him. Picking up her teddy bear, she sits in his lap and watches him as he performs his favorite unwinding ritual. Having to give up going out with his friends when he became a father, he fell into the gaming phase. Thinking that was pretty typical for a guy his age, I understood how he felt about wanting to find something else to keep him occupied. However, I figured most guys would do anything but give up their friendships and guys nights out for their children.

It wasn’t long before she became bored and acted as if there were ants in her pants. After all, she is only a year old. He quickly gave up his game to soothe her tired little self in his arms. Then laid her in her crib and snuggled her real close with her blankets and teddy. The cutest father-daughter moment I have gotten to experience. As he quietly crept out of her room, he looked back and smiled at his precious sleeping beauty.

As he had some spare time to relax, I couldn’t help but to ask more. I learned that his favorite place to calm down is by the water where he can watch the boats. It is more relaxing to him when he goes there during a thunder storm. Thunder seems to soothe him and take away his stresses, which was stunning because it makes me nervous. He loves to sit and watch the waves crash against the land as the clouds roll in. Sitting alone on the grass, he enjoys the time alone to collect his thoughts and think about his plans for the future. He often finds himself thinking of ways to go back to school and make a career in computers, so he can ultimately buy a house. He wants a big yard so he can chase his kids around and make them laugh.

His favorite possessions include his car, because as he says, it gets him from point a to point b. Video games are also something he cherishes; they allow him to escape from reality when things in life get tough. Interestingly, he says his girlfriend and their daughter are among his possessions. I had to joke with him about that, because girlfriends and children shouldn’t be referred to as possessions. To him, they are his most important and valuable belongings.

There was a rumble in the bedroom as she awoke. He ran without hesitating to go get her. I could hear him as he talks to her. “Look at you Little Miss Bed Head!” he laughed. Then I heard a loud sound that I associated with him giving her “raspberries.” She squealed in excitement as he carries her back downstairs. Smiles illuminating both faces.

The entire time I have spent with Antonio and his beautiful daughter, I experienced a change of opinion. Like many others who have heard the father stereotypes, I was a little skeptical when I found out he was a stay at home dad. Many think that they are incapable, hesitant, and want nothing more than to hand the child off to the mother figure. From my father’s experience, all the stereotypes seemed true. Never had he changed a diaper, bathed any children, fed them or played with them. He seemed consumed with his social life and having a good time. Watching Antonio made me realize that stereotypes cannot be stuck on every individual. He did not fit the mold, and seemed to care about the well being of his daughter even over his own well being. Playing with her more than I have ever seen a father play with their child, and wanting nothing more than for her to be happy.