The Focus on Fatherhood in FNAF

GT Theory Suggestion

I can't help but think about how this big focus on fatherhood has become such an integral part of FNAF. It wasn't there from the start the way the animatronics were, though there HAS always been this theme of neglected, abandoned, or hurt children (which I suppose at some point called into question where their parents were).

Like, we learn about Charlie Emily in FNAF 2 long before we learn about her father Henry. We learn about the Crying Child before we learn William Afton. But now we have them, on top of Cassie's Dad, Oswald's Dad, and Edwin Murray in the games (Don't know enough about the books to make a call on that). These fathers span different generations, some with better intentions and parent skills than others, but all tend to be struggling in one department or another.

Edwin is particularly interesting when contrasted with Fiona. Fiona was attentive not just to David but to all the employees at MCM. She seemed to treat them like family ("We love you!"), where Edwin started out wanting to take care of them ("The company will fail and they'll hate me" ;"I miss out friends") but under pressure to keep the company going seemed to treat them like expendable parts of his dream after a while.

Considering what a huge fanbase the franchise has with 11-21-year-old boys, can they take any sort of lessons from FNAF in terms of fatherhood? SHOULD they?

Posted Jun 23, 2025, 4:16 AM UTC

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