How 'One On One' Positively Reinforced Single Fatherhood In The Black Community

There’s one thing that is for sure, Flex Alexander loves his ‘baby girl’ aka his daughter Brianna with all his heart. 

If you’re not familiar with One on One’s storyline, here’s a quick rundown...

Synopsis

Flex Alexander used to be a professional basketball player, but unfortunately blew out his knee, which turned into a career ending injury. He would then become a full-time sportscaster, and eventually take on the role as a full-time dad when his teenage daughter, Breanna (played by Kyla Pratt) moves in with him when his ex-wife Nicole Barnes (Tichina Arnold) takes a job in Nova Scotia. 

Before Breanna moved in, Flex was used to living his life as a single bachelor. He was well-off when it came to finances, and a ladies man. As soon as Breanna moved in Flex immediately went into ‘dad mode.’ Contrary to the negative stigma on Black patriarchs where the father is absent or makes minimal efforts to be in their children’s lives, Flex was very much present and involved in his daughter’s life.

Support System

It takes a village to raise a child, and Flex surrounded himself with other adults who all loved and cared for his daughter. One perfect example is Breanna’s Godfather and Flex’s best friend, Duane Odell Knox (played by Kelly Perine). Although his quirky character added plenty of comedic relief, he stepped up in his role as a God parent. 

Navigating Challenges

Flex did have love interests including Breanna’s art teacher, Natalie (played by Melissa De Sousa), and their therapist, Danielle (Saskia Garel), but he tried his best to ensure that Breanna did not feel neglected. She admired and loved her dad just as much as he loved her, so there were moments she felt jealous of how close her father would be with his girlfriends. Children, especially teenagers, can be extremely overprotective of their parents. Breanna represented a teenage girl who did not make it easy for her father’s girlfriends. She would question their intentions and would look for red flags. He did have his challenges when it came to minimizing conflict between his girlfriends and his daughters, but his effort could never go unnoticed.

The Importance of Present Fathers

Parenthood is one of the most important and rewarding, yet challenging jobs a person will ever have in life. I think it is safe to say that a father’s presence makes a huge impact in a little girl’s life. From personal experience, my father passed away when I was a baby, so I never fully got to experience what it was like to have a father in my life full-time. From watching my friends and those around me with fathers in their life and witnessing the impact it had on the decisions they made as children and adults, I saw the significant importance. We, as viewers, got the chance to watch Breanna navigate her teenage years and having a present father. As a child watching this, I can’t deny not feeling the absence of my father.

Black Fathers from the 90s.

Shows like One on One help break the stereotype about Black fatherhood. 90s television as a whole helped reinforce this. Phil from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Michael from My Wife & Kids, Ray from Sister, Sister, and more are prime examples of Black fathers on television who took their role as a character and father super serious. I loved how Flex represented a community of fathers who has full custody of their children. Single Black mothers are often showcased on television, depicting both their challenges and strengths.

Feeling nostalgic? One on One can be watched on Amazon.