dadmiration

Dadmiration is a neologism that combines "dad" and "admiration" to denote admiration or respect directed toward a father or father-like figure. It can refer to appreciation for the everyday actions of a father, such as support, dedication, or humor, as well as for more generalized qualities associated with paternal roles.

The term appears in online discourse and social media, where users caption photos with fathers, celebrate paternal milestones, or praise male guardians. While not a formal linguistic register, dadmiration is used both playfully and sincerely, and it has been adopted across various communities that discuss family life and fatherhood.

In usage, dadmiration can accompany stories about mentoring, protective behavior, or acts of care. It may apply to biological fathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, or other male mentors who fulfill father-like roles.

Cultural context: The term intersects with conversations about father involvement, masculinity, and positive parenting. Proponents view dadmiration as a way to acknowledge and normalize active, supportive fathering, while critics may see it as reinforcing idealized standards of fatherhood.

See also: fatherhood, parental admiration, mom admiration, paternal role models.