Dad Takes Most Embarrassing Family Selfie: Why Do They Do That?

By John Dodge

CHICAGO (CBS) -- What is it about dads and their need to embarrass their family?

It's all in good-natured fun, and almost all dads do it.

In fact, they seem to thrive on it.

One of the best examples of this practice is this recent photo of a dad attempting to take a family selfie at a restaurant (above). The photo was posted on Reddit and is among the most popular entries on the site right now.

In an interview with Jenna Bush Hagar on the "Today" show this summer, President Obama admitted that he's the same way.

"I think [my daughters] would say that I am good, fun dad who teeters on the edge of being embarrassing sometimes," Obama said. "As Malia put it, I'm right on the edge, but I usually stay on the right side of the edge of being funny rather than totally humiliating to them."

Sure, you do, Mr. President.

Ask just about any dad, and they will admit to being the prankster in the family.

But why? Are men just inherently sillier--or as one CBS colleague put it, just immature?

Dr. Deborah Gilboa, a family doctor and parenting and youth development expert, said men tend to want to show their kids that it's OK to take a joke and lighten up every once in a while.

"Dads have faith in the family's resilience and that there is value in not taking yourself too seriously," she said.

In fact, some recent research shows that the level of so-called "social power" among middle-school boys is universally measured by two things: a sense of humor and athleticism.

For young girls the factors that lead to social acceptance are more complex, said Gilboa, who offers parents valuable advice on her website, AskDoctorG.

So, it seems those skills are valued early among boys. Having the ability to tell good joke (or be the brunt of one) and throwing a ball are keys to success at a young age.