No mom should do it alone. But in the case of dads, maybe the truth is no dad could do it alone. Our highly unscientific study of Dadtourages led us to this conclusion. Let's be clear: We're not complaining—because if dad is happy, then we're happy.

Buddies, pals, homies—whatever he calls them—actually break down into several important categories, each with a unique purpose:

The Best Friends: These are the brothers from another mother who can be counted on without fail, with whom Dad can share his deepest darkest secrets and fears as a man. Just like you need a shoulder to cry on, men need an outlet too, really. It's just that where yours is a sprinkler of the garden variety, his is a fireplug—to be released only when crap is on fire.

The Sports/Drinking Buddies: Another small enclave of men who get together to watch various sporting events or hit the golf course. When men congregate in a pack, they behave oddly: They have a different vernacular ("Did you see Jeter turn that 6-4-3 double play?"), different posturing (swearing, belching, balls-scratching), and often speak in hypotheticals and hyperboles. ("If you had to pick the best quarterback of all time, who would it be?" or "That was the worst call I've ever seen!" or "Which Jessica would you rather sleep with: Simpson, Alba or Biel?"— as if any were a possibility). It may seem sophomoric and silly to you, but this is a necessary release of prehistoric testosterone. Once the feral flare-up passes, he can return to being your Responsible Family Man.