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extrapenguinOne of Modao Zushi's themes and topics is family and growing up. To that end, we see a bunch of dads onpage, as well as dads we don't really see much of, but whom we can judge based on how their children end up. Limiting my observations to dads of the older generation (because I hereby present a list of dads, from worst to best:
Jiang Fengmian
Okay. This guy just sucks. He treats his foster-son better than his own bioson, which caused a huge inferiority complex in the biokid, and made his wife go to war with him over the foster kid's status in the family. He made the foster kid the head disciple (despite the bioson being a Jiang disciple for longer, and also being the sect leader's son like come on), earning said child the ire of his wife, and he didn't do anything that might soothe his wife's ruffled feathers or alleviate her valid concerns. He only ever praised the foster son and expressed disappointment in the bioson, and did his arguing with his wife in front of the children. As a result, he has raised one foster-son who grew up to immense self-abnegation just to survive and try not to usurp the righteous heir in people's eyes, one bio-son with a terrible inferiority complex, and one bio-daughter who is extremely passive and withdrawing.
Qingheng-jun
Completely absent from his children's lives emotionally, yet physically nearby, reminding them of his existence and the fact that he chose to repent for marrying a woman who killed a teacher of his, rather than ... raising the children he fathered on that woman. Then he left all the childrearing on his brother.
Jin Guangshan
A terrible husband, and a deadbeat and absent dad for most of his kids. He was nice and spoiled his official son, and was nice to Mo Xuanyu when he remembered he existed, but also a total asshole to Jin Guangyao and the other illegitimate kids he didn't wish to acknowledge.
Nie sr
While he barely appears onpage, Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang's father was at least marginally competent, since his son is willing to avenge him for reasons other than sect honor. On the other hand, the saber spirit thing, although not his fault, must've put a damper on his children.
Wei Changze
While Wei Changze was dead for most of his child's critical developmental years, Wei Wuxian is psychologically remarkably resilient even after Jiang Fengmian's parenting, so Wei Changze and Zangse Sanren must've done at least something right.
Wen Ruohan
The Wen sect may have been evil, but Wen Ruohan's sons seem to have gotten along just fine, and when one of them is in dire straits, he makes a beeline straight for his dad, indicating that he trusts his dad to solve his problems. Neither of Wen Ruohan's sons had self-esteem issues.
Jiang Fengmian
Okay. This guy just sucks. He treats his foster-son better than his own bioson, which caused a huge inferiority complex in the biokid, and made his wife go to war with him over the foster kid's status in the family. He made the foster kid the head disciple (despite the bioson being a Jiang disciple for longer, and also being the sect leader's son like come on), earning said child the ire of his wife, and he didn't do anything that might soothe his wife's ruffled feathers or alleviate her valid concerns. He only ever praised the foster son and expressed disappointment in the bioson, and did his arguing with his wife in front of the children. As a result, he has raised one foster-son who grew up to immense self-abnegation just to survive and try not to usurp the righteous heir in people's eyes, one bio-son with a terrible inferiority complex, and one bio-daughter who is extremely passive and withdrawing.
Qingheng-jun
Completely absent from his children's lives emotionally, yet physically nearby, reminding them of his existence and the fact that he chose to repent for marrying a woman who killed a teacher of his, rather than ... raising the children he fathered on that woman. Then he left all the childrearing on his brother.
Jin Guangshan
A terrible husband, and a deadbeat and absent dad for most of his kids. He was nice and spoiled his official son, and was nice to Mo Xuanyu when he remembered he existed, but also a total asshole to Jin Guangyao and the other illegitimate kids he didn't wish to acknowledge.
Nie sr
While he barely appears onpage, Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang's father was at least marginally competent, since his son is willing to avenge him for reasons other than sect honor. On the other hand, the saber spirit thing, although not his fault, must've put a damper on his children.
Wei Changze
While Wei Changze was dead for most of his child's critical developmental years, Wei Wuxian is psychologically remarkably resilient even after Jiang Fengmian's parenting, so Wei Changze and Zangse Sanren must've done at least something right.
Wen Ruohan
The Wen sect may have been evil, but Wen Ruohan's sons seem to have gotten along just fine, and when one of them is in dire straits, he makes a beeline straight for his dad, indicating that he trusts his dad to solve his problems. Neither of Wen Ruohan's sons had self-esteem issues.