Dads Are Important Mentors, in Life and Body Odor

With Father’s Day just around the corner, many people are gearing up to celebrate the father figures in their lives. And for a lot of us, that appreciation goes far beyond the classic necktie or grill set.

A new poll reveals that 70% of adults who grew up with a father figure consider their dad to be one of the most important mentors in their life. While “one of” may leave room for others, the sentiment is clear: Dad’s advice still carries weight.

In fact, nearly one in five (17%) say their father is the person they most often turn to when they need guidance. A quarter of respondents (25%) also said they’re most likely to call Dad first in a stressful moment, whether it’s for practical help or emotional support.

Beyond moral and life advice, fathers are also getting credit for setting examples in self-care and personal grooming.

Between 25% and 40% of respondents said their dads helped shape habits related to physical and mental well-being—everything from healthy routines to simply looking put-together.

For many, those lessons started early. Among men who grew up with a father, 32% say they learned to tie a tie from their dad. 29% admit to borrowing their father’s shaving cream as kids.

Another 26% report that it was Dad who bought them their very first stick of deodorant. Nice of him to not force you to buy your own with that lawn-mowing money. It’s those small things that make a Dad special. 🙃

Nearly a third (29%) of those polled said they had reached out to their father for help in just the past week.

Which means that hands-on parenting doesn’t fade with time.

These numbers underscore a broader trend: while modern parenting roles continue to evolve, the influence of fathers remains deeply personal and long-lasting. From emotional resilience to body odor tips, the lessons stick—and so does the appreciation.