What is the documentary about?
Grown Up Dad explores the generational changes of fatherhood by asking what it means to be a good dad today? Historically, being a Dad meant providing financially – putting food on the table and a roof overhead. Yet, this norm feels incomplete. Between important discussions about toxic masculinity and evolving gender roles, defining good fatherhood has never been more complex. Host Joseph Gidjunis is a Dad who only saw fathers as drive-by parents, missing the real family time. Wanting to be more for his own son, he sets out on a journey across the United States and Australia after being inspired by the hit TV show, Bluey.
How can I watch?
Grown Up Dad’s first episode, a 30-minute pilot, airs June 2024 across 283 Public Broadcasting stations and streaming on PBS Passport. These stations represent 90% of the country, and 95 out of the top 100 TV markets.
Are you creating more?
Yes, the pilot is complete and airing June 2024. Five (5) additional episodes are in pre-production about family structures, shift workers, childcare costs, mental health and comparing other international parenting norms. Our expectation is to make Grown Up Dad an annual documentary series exploring new methods to counteract the challenges all parents, caretakers and non-traditional families endure when raising children.