History Main / IAmNotMyFather

** Rachel goes to great lengths to avoid turning into her mother, a RichBitch who's dependent on others for financial support, by building a successful career and not getting tied down in a loveless marriage. While teaching Joey how to sail she's absolutely horrified to realise she's been using the same harsh teaching methods that her ''father'' used to teach her.

Enter this trope. This is when a child decides for themselves that they aren't going to repeat the same mistakes that their parents have made. Maybe the child was raised with a {{Jerkass}} for a father, or mommy dearest was a {{Cloudcuckoolander}} of the worst kind. Or, maybe the child has just developed an interest that strays far away from their parent's preferences. Whether out of embarrassment or for the sake of rebellion, expect this to lead to CallingTheOldManOut and/or YoureNotMyFather.

Compare ArchnemesisDad, in which the parent-child relationship is outright antagonistic. Contrast TurnOutLikeHisFather, where the parent doesn't want the child to imitate someone in the family, and PursuingParentalPerils. See also LikeFatherUnlikeSon[=/=]LikeMotherUnlikeDaughter[=/=]LikeParentUnlikeChild, where the child really isn't like the parent, and isn't necessarily trying to be that way. Related to MorallySuperiorCopy, where a clone or duplicate turns out to be morally superior to the villainous original. Not to be confused with LukeIAmYourFather.

Compare ArchnemesisDad, in which the parent-child relationship is outright antagonistic. Contrast TurnOutLikeHisFather, where the parent doesn't want the child to imitate someone in the family, and PursuingParentalPerils. See also LikeFatherUnlikeSon, where the child really isn't like the parent, and isn't necessarily trying to be that way. Related to MorallySuperiorCopy, where a clone or duplicate turns out to be morally superior to the villainous original. Not to be confused with LukeIAmYourFather.

* ''Series/ShamelessUS'': This is a major part of Lip's character arc; despite his increasingly desperate attempts to distance himself from the [[AbusiveParents father]] [[ParentalNeglect he]] [[TheAlcoholic hates]], his descent into alcoholism mirrors Frank's almost exactly. It's even [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]]:

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender:'' Zuko's HeelFaceTurn happens when he stops being a WellDoneSonGuy to his abusive father [[EvilOverlord Ozai]] and becomes one of these instead. Taking his [[CoolOldGuy Uncle Iroh]] as his [[ParentalSubstitute alternate]] [[TheCaretaker father figure]] didn't hurt either. Zuko ultimately spends his life reforming the atrocities his father committed as Fire Lord and building a better, peaceful regime.

** Tarrlok, and by extension [[spoiler: his brother Amon]], both seem to show shades of this. Unfortunately for them both, [[spoiler: they ended up becoming a threat to Republic City just [[TheBadGuyWins like their father wanted]], albeit in [[CorruptPolitician different]] [[DarkMessiah ways]].]]

* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'': Hoggish Jr. used to share his father's views on environment but changed his mind.

* In ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad!'', both Hayley and Steve try not to be like their father Stan - Hayley because she hates his right-wing views, and Steve because he thinks Stan is an idiot for using words like 'irregardless'. At the end of the day though Hayley IS like Stan in her obstinance, and Steve is like Stan in his nerdy nature and well-meaning but naive ideas.

*** There's also a lot of FridgeBrilliance in Chandler's characterization. While his parents have flashy, exciting careers (famous smut writer and drag queen performer) and unconventional lives travelling and sleeping around with people, Chandler works a deadly boring 9 - 5 office job, is shy and awkward when it comes to dating, and for most of the series just wants security and stability with his TrueCompanions. (Which he never had as a child.) His CharacterDevelopment is all about getting over the CommitmentIssues his parents caused, and he's never happier than after he he falls in love with the Monica (the most reliable and level-headed of the friends) and they head towards the conventional 2.5 kids, white-picket fence future together.

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': Shoto Todoroki rejects any and all comparisons to his abusive father Endeavor. As such, he would refuse to use his flame powers to differentiate himself from his father: it wasn't until Midoriya called him out on his holding himself back that he finally started to use his pyrokinesis.

* Lorelai in ''Series/GilmoreGirls'' in general can't stand her mother and tries to be as free and different from her as possible, and is dismayed at the occasional moments where [[NotSoDifferent they are shown to have similarities.]]

** One of the first things said by Liara in ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' is "I am not [[TheDragon my mother!]]". Which is ironic, considering how both she and her mother Benezia have been [[MagneticHero magnetically drawn]] to dashing, larger-than-life Spectres on a quest for galactic salvation, and eventually became their most ardent supporters and trusted confidantes. So, despite her claims to the contrary, Liara is NotSoDifferent from her mom... except that she either is a much better judge of character, or is just a whole lot luckier to have followed [[PlayerCharacter Shepard]] instead of someone like [[TheHeavy Saren]].

* Expect this trope to be played in any ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fanfic where Sirius Black has children who believe him to be guilty.
** The same in any fanfic where Draco Malfoy is on the side of the good guys.

Compare ArchnemesisDad, in which the parent-child relationship is outright antagonistic. Contrast TurnOutLikeHisFather, where the parent doesn't want the child to imitate someone in the family, and PursuingParentalPerils. See also LikeFatherUnlikeSon, where the child really isn't like the parent, and isn't necessarily trying to be that way. Not to be confused with LukeIAmYourFather.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Daenerys says this word-for-word in 'The House of Black and White'. Dany seems genuinely disturbed as Ser Barristan describes the atrocities of the Mad King. This trope is a key element in Tyrion throwing his support behind her. She also stuns Jon Snow when she openly declares that her father was an evil man. {{Subverted}} come Season 8 Episode 5 when she abruptly loses her mind and burns King's Landing for no good reason, however, [[ShockingSwerve proving that in the end she took after dear old dad after all]].

Enter this trope. This is when a child decides for themselves that they aren't going to repeat the same mistakes that their parents have made. Maybe the child was raised with a {{Jerkass}} for a father, or mommy dearest was a {{Cloudcuckoolander}} of the worst kind. Or, maybe the child has just developed an interest that strays far away from their parent's preferences. Whether out of embarrassment or for the sake of rebellion, expect this to lead to CallingTheOldManOut.

Compare ArchnemesisDad, in which the parent-child relationship is outright antagonistic. Contrast TurnOutLikeHisFather, where the parent doesn't want the child to imitate someone in the family, and PursuingParentalPerils. See also LikeFatherUnlikeSon, where the child really isn't like the parent, and isn't necessarily trying to be that way. Not to be confused with LukeIAmYourFather

** Mike Dodds, the son of a Deputy Chief of Police, is an unusual example in that he has a good relationship with his father and respects him, but doesn't necessarily want a life like his father's for himself. Unfortunately for Mike, his father doesn't really get this, which makes it hard for Mike to pursue his own path. ([[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot This arc is ultimately cut short]] when Mike is [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal [[WeHardlyKnewYe after less than a season]].]])

* ''Manga/SoulEater'':
** Black Star has no intention of going down the same path as the violently dangerous Star Clan, though it takes a while for him to recognise it was a real possibility and took the Nakatsukasa Purpose's third option. His Parental Substitute and Mentor, Sid, is the one who refers to this trope the most as he was the one (in the manga) who killed White Star, and so saw the signs that Black Star could TurnOutLikeHisFather.
** Invoked in a positive sense with [[spoiler: Kid and Shinigami. Seeing what became of [[CainAndAbel Asura]], and realising what their [[TrulySingleParent father]] was [[MoreThanMindControl capable]] of, Kid is at first hesitant to 'ascend' and become a true Shinigami. He is reassured by his [[TrueCompanions friends]] that he is a different person, and will do things his own way. Not that Kid realises it, but this is ''exactly'' what Shinigami wanted him to do [[SoProudOfYou all along.]]]]
* There's no way in ''[[IncrediblyLamePun hell]]'' [[AntiAntiChrist Rin Okumura]] (from ''Manga/BlueExorcist'') is going to turn out like his [[{{Satan}} biological father]].
* Present multiple times, subverted and played straight, in the manga ''Manga/LovePistols'':

* While definitely following in his father's footsteps, Negi in ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' [[spoiler:picks up dark magic]] reasoning that no matter how much he pursues his father, he isn't him. If there's a better way to do what he has to, then he'll do it.

* Shoto Todoroki of ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' rejects any and all comparisons to his abusive father Endeavor. As such, he would refuse to use his flame powers to differentiate himself from his father: it wasn't until Midoriya called him out on his holding himself back that he finally started to use his pyrokinesis.
* ''Manga/HungryHeart'' has a more benevolent "I Am Not My Brother" variation with the protagonist, Kyousuke Kanou. As a child, [[BigBrotherWorship he learned to play and love soccer from his older brother]], [[BigBrotherMentor Seisuke Kanou]], who as an adult would grow to become TheAce of the A.C Milan. However, people began to criticize Kyousuke for having a different playing style to his brother, which ultimately led him to quit soccer altogether. [[spoiler: It's later revealed that this was due to [[ObliviousAdoption him discovering that he was adopted]], which only strained his family relationships even more.]]

* The titular character in the film adaptation of ''Film/{{Matilda}}'' says "I'm nothing like my father!" when Miss Trunchbull assumes that Matilda and her father Harry conspired to sell Trunchbull a lemon car.

* In ''Film/{{Inception}}'', Cobb plans to invoke this trope in Fischer so he would break up his father's company and start a business of his own.
* Luke Skywalker in ''Franchise/StarWars''. He's tempted to follow his father to the Dark Side, but although his anger nearly drives him there, he reins it in and refuses to join Vader and Palpatine. He does want to be like his father in a sense, but his father as a young man and great Jedi, not the evil Sith Lord he became later.
* In ''Film/TheGodfather'', Michael Corleone relates a story of his father's vicious mafia lifestyle to his girlfriend Kay, at the end insisting that he isn't like his ruthless old man. He's at least partially right. [[spoiler:He ends up being much, much worse.]]
* In ''Film/CitySlickers'', Mitch calls Ed out on his compulsion to succeed, culminating in him trying to do something he's ill-equipped to do--drive a herd of cattle--in his determination to prove that he's better than the father who abused and eventually abandoned him and his sister and mother.
* ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'': The realization that he is not his ''grand''father is the last push that allows Thorin to snap out of [[GoldFever Dragon Sickness]].
* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: Much of Tony Stark's motivation prior to the Sokovian Accords is undoing SinsOfOurFathers by taking Stark Industries out of the [[WarForFunAndProfit weapons trade]], which is how Howard Stark built the fortune that Tony inherited. The fact that civilians continue to be killed by bombs made by Stark Industries haunts him through ''Film/IronMan3'', ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'' and ''Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar''.

* In ''Literature/WarriorCats: A New Prophecy'', Brambleclaw is determined to get out from under the shadow of being the son of BigBad Tigerclaw.

* Daniel Leary, one of the two protagonists of David Drake's Literature/{{RCN}} Series, is a popular and genial military officer who cares for the lower-class people he works with and has a low regard for politics and finance...which is the exact opposite of his father, the most powerful politician in the government.

* According to Wickham in ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'', Darcy is one of these, but in a bad way.
* Contrary to what Severus Snape insists on claiming, Literature/HarryPotter isn't arrogant or attention-seeking, and is definitely not the JerkJock his father initially was.
** PlayedWith in that he does strive to be like his father in other ways and at other times in the book, and the two do have some similarities which are commented on during the series.
** Sirius Black rejected the darkness his family is known for. He and practically every other decent person in the family was rejected for this.
** Percy Weasley moved out of his family's home to show the Ministry he, unlike the other Weasleys, supported Minister Fudge's position of denying Voldemort's return.

* Creator/StephenKing has used this in a couple of his novels:
* Nick from ''Literature/GoneGirl'' is ''desperate'' to prove that he's a better man than his brutish, misogynistic father, so much so that when Amy [[spoiler: tells him that she got herself pregnant with his sperm behind his back, he immediately resolves that it doesn't matter how his unborn son was conceived; he'll stay with Amy and do absolutely anything to give him a better childhood than he was subjected to.]]
** In ''Literature/DoloresClaiborne'', Joe St. George, Jr does his very best to be the complete opposite of his father Joe Sr, who he hated. He ends up as a Democratic Party politician, a party his father hated (calling Roosevelt "Sheeny-velt").
** ''Literature/DoctorSleep'' has Danny, the grown-up son of Jack Torrence who now goes by Dan, attempt to stray from the demons that plagued his father. Said word-for-word in the final confrontation with Rose the Hat (leader of the True Knot), where she manages to briefly trick Dan into strangling Abra, while he says "Come and take your medicine!"
** In ''Literature/TheShining'', one of Jack's source of angst was his abusive father which subconsciously influenced him.
* In ''{{Literature/Doom}}'', this was Fly's motivation for joining the Marines and his love of the Corps. His father was a cruel, petty criminal lout with no sense of honor or dignity. In the Marine Corps Fly could be everything his father wasn't.
* Ward of ''Literature/{{Hurog}}'' is ''very'' unlike his father, but people who suffered under his father ''still'' suspect (or outright believe) that he wants to [[KlingonPromotion kill them]] and everyone else who is in the way, in order to inherit the title. It's simply what they're used to. In the case of Oreg, who is a kind of mixture of GeniusLoci, ghost, and magically-bound slave, this is even more justified, as he sometimes mixes up past and present, and Ward looks a lot like some particularly nasty ancestor. Ward has to explain, again and again, that he is neither like his father, nor like other nasty ancestors.

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''. After the death of DragonInChief Lord Tywin Lannister, his daughter the Queen Regent asks Twyin's loyal NumberTwo Ser Kevan Lannister to fulfill the same role for her. She's outraged when Ser Kevan refuses unless she gives up her rule and lets him serve as Regent until her son is of age to rule.
-->"Open your eyes and look about you, Cersei. The kingdom is in ruins. Tywin might have been able to set matters aright, but..."
-->"I shall set matters aright!" Cersei softened her tone. "With your help, Uncle. If you will serve me as faithfully as you served my father--"
-->[[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen "You are not your father."]]
* In ''Literature/TheMagicians'', Alice's parents are trapped in a state of DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife following the death of their son Charlie, wasting their magical talents on pointless hobbies and hating each other, neglecting their only surviving child in the process. As such, Alice lives in terror of falling into the same joyless, purpose-deprived existence as her parents after graduating from [[WizardingSchool Brakebills]], and makes Quentin promise her that they won't be reduced to this state. Unfortunately, [[{{Manchild}} Quentin]] disappoints her, [[spoiler: and Alice is forced to [[DeadlyUpgrade end up like her brother]] in order to save the day.]]

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Daenerys says this word-for-word in 'The House of Black and White'. Dany seems genuinely disturbed as Ser Barristan describes the atrocities of the Mad King. This trope is a key element in Tyrion throwing his support behind her. She also stuns Jon Snow when she openly declares that her father was an evil man. {{Subverted}} come Season 8 Episode 5 when she abruptly loses her mind and burns King's Landing for no good reason, however, [[ShockingSwerve proving that in the end she took after dear old dad after all]].
* On ''Series/TheOriginals'', when Klaus is on a particularly hate-filled rant about Rebekah because she brought [[ArchnemesisDad Mikael]] to New Orleans to chase him away years ago, Elijah mentions how much he sounds like their father. Klaus is momentarily taken aback, and quietly says "I'm not him.", trying to convince himself more than anyone else. This is a running thread throughout the series, with Klaus' fatherhood being essential to him trying to be better than his father.
* A stock plot on all [[SoapOpera Soaps]] where family issues take center stage; bonus points if it's because they find out [[WhosYourDaddy their father wasn't who they thought it was]]. [[Series/TheYoungAndTheRestless Nick Newman]], [[Series/DaysOfOurLives Bo Brady]] and [[Series/OneLifeToLive Star Manning]] all have elements and some of the dynastic families like the [[Series/GeneralHospital Quatermaines]] and the [[Series/CoronationStreet Barlows]] practically run on it.
* This is a common theme in ''Series/SixFeetUnder''. The various characters try to avoid becoming like their parents with varying degrees of success. Most notably, Nate and Brenda, despite insistence that they will never be like their parents, ultimately go into exactly the same professions.
* In ''[[Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand Spartacus: Gods of the Arena]]'', several people have made this comment regarding Batiatus. He essentially fires Doctore for this reason. It's made clear, he feels his father's patient attitude has held the family fortunes down.
* A variation in the ''Series/WhiteCollar'' episode, "What Happens in Burma". Neal reveals that his father was a dirty cop, and says that criminal behavior runs in his blood. Peter insists that it's not true and encourages Neal to be his own man. So in this case it's more like "You are not your father." This is ''after'' Neal has served time as a convicted bond forger, and that Peter was the one who caught him, ''twice!'' Even after all that, Peter still believes in him and still wants Neal to realize that his choices are his own, and that it's still not too late to get his act together.
* In ''Series/BetterCallSaul'', Jimmy saw his easy mark father get driven into bankruptcy by scam artists, and decided to become a hustler himself rather than get taken advantage of. His brother Chuck makes a show of respecting their parents far more than Jimmy did, but he's clearly also driven to avoid becoming like them. Rather than use his legal skills to help average people like their dad tried to do, he became a high-priced corporate lawyer so he would be rich, powerful and respected.
* In ''Series/GossipGirl'', Chuck Bass keeps repeating that he's not like his father. Though he can't seem to decide if that's a positive thing or a negative.

* Simon Marsden, when first introduced in ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'', is suspected of rape. He invokes this trope when Benson compares him to their dad.
** Benson herself has to deal with this on occasion, since neither of her parents were exactly great.
** Mike Dodds, the son of a Deputy Chief of Police, is an unusual example in that he has a good relationship with his father and respects him, but doesn't necessarily want a life like his father's for himself. Unfortunately for Mike, his father doesn't really get this, which makes it hard for Mike to pursue his own path. ([[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot This arc is ultimately cut short]] when Mike is [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal [[WeHardlyKnewYe after less than a season]].]])
* This is a source of angst for D'Artagnan in ''Series/YoungBlades'', son of the D'Artagnan from ''Literature/TheThreeMusketeers''. In particular, D'Artagnan (the younger) is willing to leave his life in the Musketeers rather than abandon his child like his father abandoned him.
* Raylan Givens in ''Series/{{Justified}}'' despises his father Arlo, who is a notorious criminal. Raylan became a lawman specifically to make sure he never turned out like his father. Boyd Crowder also has shades of this, though he takes it in a different direction than Raylan.
* Arthur is trying to be this trope in ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}''. Sometimes he manages it, sometimes he doesn't. In one season 5 episode, where a group of villagers are expecting him to kill a magic user, he actually says it. "I'm not my father".

* A variation appears in ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' when Bobby tells Dean he doesn't have to be like John and let his relationship with Sam be ruined because he is too proud to forgive him.
* A particularly heartwarming episode of ''Series/UglyBetty'' involves Daniel panicking after his father's sudden death because he's been left to run the magazine on his own but knows that he's "no Bradford Meade." After he has a brilliant idea that saves the magazine from total ruin, Betty has the following exchange with Bradford Meade's ghost:
-->'''Bradford Meade''': It was very clever. And I would never have thought of it.
-->'''Betty''': Well, you're no Daniel Meade.

* It's implied in an episode of ''Series/CriminalMinds'' that Hotchner's father was an abusive man who beat his son (and possibly his wife). When Hotchner admits that while children brought up in an abusive home sometimes become abusers themselves, sometimes they instead grow up to catch such people.
* ''Series/{{Friends}}'': [[TheUnfavourite Monica]] is determined not to end up like her JerkAss [[AbusiveParents mother]]. As she is a great TeamMom to the gang, adores children, is a supportive friend and wife, and happily [[spoiler: adopts twin babies]], she succeeds pretty well.
** Her boyfriend Chandler also has shades of this, terrified of becoming his flighty [[ParentalNeglect mother]] and gay father who walked out on them. He even runs away on his wedding because he's scared he'll copy his [[AwfulWeddedLife parents marriage]]. With Monica's help, he becomes one of the sweetest TV husbands ever [[spoiler: and a father]].
*** There's also a lot of FridgeBrilliance in Chandler's characterization. While his parents have flashy, exciting careers (famous smut writer and drag queen performer) and unconventional lives travelling and sleeping around with people, Chandler works a deadly boring 9 - 5 office job, is shy and awkward when it comes to dating, and for most of the series just wants security and stability with his TrueCompanions. (Which he never had as a child.) His CharacterDevelopment is all about getting over the CommitmentIssues his parents caused, and he's never happier than after he he falls in love with the Monica (the most reliable and level-headed of the friends) and they head towards the conventional 2.5 kids, white-picket fence future together.

* Booth in ''Series/{{Bones}}'' spends an episode worrying that his history as a sniper and current career in the FBI stems from a love for violence due to his abusive father. He is told (in a hallucination) that he is not his father and then says it word for word to Bones at the end of the episode.
* '''Series/{{Wiseguy}}''. The garment trade arc starts with Eli Sternberg going to Mafia boss Rick Pinzolo for a loan, playing on his history with Pinzolo's father. Pinzolo insists on usurious terms, and when Sternberg demands the old arrangement, Pinzolo replies, "With all due respect to my father, as a businessman he was an idiot."
* ''Series/BirdsOfPrey2002'':
** Helena Kyle has this attitude towards her father [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Bruce Wayne]], despite taking up her father's mantle of Gotham's protector.
** [[spoiler: Helena's love interest police detective Jesse Resse is also this towards his own father, crime boss Al Hawke, and even arrests his father.]]
* Inverted on ''Series/{{ER}}'', where Doug Ross is horrified to realize that he ''is'' the epitome of the father he despises.
* ''{{Series/Roseanne}}'': Multiple people over the years tell Darlene Connor that, with her abrasive, willful, sarcastic personality, she's exactly like her mother. Darlene ''does not'' take this well and angrily invokes this trope every single time.

* ''Series/ShamelessUS'': This is a major part of Lip's character arc; despite his increasingly desperate attempts to distance himself from the [[AbusiveParents father]] [[ParentalNeglect he]] [[TheAlcoholic hates]], his descent into alcoholism mirrors Frank's almost exactly. It's even [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]]:
-->'''Frank''': Why you gotta be such an asshole?
-->'''Lip''': Apple fell where you dropped it.
* ''Series/{{Arrow}}'': After a number of revelations about Robert Queen, Oliver is determined to prove to himself and to everyone else that he is not his father. Ironically, on Earth 2, Oliver is the one who died on the ''Queen's Gambit'', and Robert became the Hood.
* In ''Series/{{Fringe}}'', the Greek phrase "Einai Kalytero Anthropo Apo Ton Patera Toy" keeps popping up. It means "be a better man than your father".
* On ''Series/InTreatment'', this trope comes into play as Paul tries to deal with his reciprocal feelings for Laura, mindful that his father had left his mother for a patient.

[[folder:VideoGames]]

* Kazuya from ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'' hates his father Heihachi. Heihachi's adopted son Lee goes further than this by completely disowning his adopted father.

* When making a Charr in ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'', two of your options is that your father was a Gladium who abandoned his warband and lives in honorless shame, or an outright traitor [[ReligionOfEvil Flame Legion]] shaman, you character adresses the trope if you picked the latter when your father comes up in a discussion.
---> Charr: "Yes, but I despise him, I've broken several jaws reminding people that I'm not responsible for my father's actions."
* Vito from ''VideoGame/MafiaII'' explicitly states a few times that he "doesn't want to end up like his dad". Of course, that all end when he later [[TheReveal finds out how exactly his dad died]], and it turns out Vito ''was'' following in his footsteps the whole time.
* To a lesser extent, Connor from ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'' makes a point of not being like his [[KnightTemplar templar]] father Haytham.
* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Death]]wing's son Wrathion meets with the player in ''Mists of Pandaria'' and declares that he is completely opposed to his late father's [[OmnicidalManiac beliefs]].
-->'''Wrathion:''' Please understand, I mean to pay off my father's debts. I will stop at NOTHING to defend this world.

* Komaru Naegi in ''VideoGame/DanganronpaAnotherEpisodeUltraDespairGirls'' embodies this trope throughout the game, with many people, especially the BigBad, comparing her to [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc her older brother Makoto]] and his status as HopeBringer. Not that she wants that sort of title; she's fine with just being a regular girl. [[spoiler: Monaca's plan actually involves making her into a carbon copy of her brother, bringing hope to Towa City only to throw it back into chaos, starting a war that'll re-invigorate [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt the Tragedy]]. The ultimate failure in her plan are that she overestimates Komaru, who ''doesn't'' want to emulate her brother.]]
--> '''Komaru:''' ...There's no way I could imitate him. And no way I'd want to. I am not my brother. Makoto is Makoto...[[IAmWhatIAm and I am me.]]

* Helen B. Narbon of ''{{Webcomic/Narbonic}}'' is determined to not be like her mother [[spoiler: even though she is a clone]], but when she most strongly insists that she is ''not'' her mother, her listeners agree that she is clearly ''exactly'' like her mother.
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'':
** Roy has chosen to be a fighter, against his father's wish (who wanted Roy to become a wizard like him; ironically, ''his'' father is a fighter and had the same problem). Much later, [[spoiler:when Roy is dead]], he realizes what a cynical JerkAss his father actually is, and makes a conscious decision not to be like that.
** Elan is doing to same to Tarquin, Tarquin is an evil general while Elan is a hero. This doesn't bother Tarquin so much as he believes that it is his fate to be killed by a hero one day, at which point he will become infamous. He even gets to the point where he's helping Elan become a better hero, because the extra drama in having Elan kill him is all the better. Out of spite, Elan rejects Tarquin's assistance in the Order's quest for the Gates, then when fighting his father's own troops to save Roy, Durkon and Belkar, he takes on a supporting role, helping Haley fight them instead of doing the BigDamnHeroes bit himself.
* Kaji in ''Webcomic/CincoElementos'', despite Ember's efforts.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender:'' Zuko's HeelFaceTurn happens when he stops being a WellDoneSonGuy to his abusive father [[{{EvilOverlord}} Ozai]] and becomes one of these instead. Taking his [[CoolOldGuy Uncle Iroh]] as his [[ParentalSubstitute alternate]] [[TheCaretaker father figure]] didn't hurt either. Zuko ultimately spends his life reforming the atrocities his father committed as Fire Lord and building a better, peaceful regime.
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'':
** Stan in particular is pretty ashamed of his father most of the time and tries to avoid being like him, not that he always succeeds.
** To a lesser extent, Kyle is like this, but usually with his mother. "It's a Jersey Thing".
* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra:'' A recurring motif. Tenzin is (or [[NotSoStoic tries to be]]) as serious and staid as Aang was carefree, and, while she shares Toph's toughness, Lin is very strict about enforcing the law and has no patience with the Avatar Korra's vigilante justice [[spoiler:until she quits and becomes a vigilante herself]].
** Arguably the most significant is [[spoiler:Asami refusing to join the Equalists with her father.]]
** Tenzin breaks out of the Fog of Lost Souls on realizing [[spoiler:"I am Tenzin. I am not a reflection of my father." after his father himself shows up to tell him so.]]
** Tarrlok, and by extension [[spoiler: his brother Amon]], both seem to show shades of this. Unfortunately for them both, [[spoiler: they ended up becoming a threat to Republic City just [[TheBadGuyWins like their father wanted]], albeit in [[CorruptPolitician different]] [[DarkMessiah ways]].]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', Lisa discovers that Marge used to be a genius until meeting Homer essentially made her decide she didn't care about her future. Lisa vows to be absolutely nothing like her mother, much to Marge's horror.

* In ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad!'', both Hayley and Steve try not to be like their father Stan - Hayley because she hates his right-wing views, and Steve because he thinks Stan is an idiot for using words like 'irregardless'. At the end of the day though Hayley IS like Stan in her obstinance, and Steve is like Stan in his nerdy nature and well-meaning but naive ideas.
* Willy Zilla's desire of being recognized by his own merit instead of just being famous because [[WesternAnimation/MyDadTheRockStar his Dad is a rock star]] triggers this trope. Rock actually understands it, as ''his'' father is a cello player.
* ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers'': Hoggish Jr. used to share his father's views on environment but changed his mind.
* Julie Kane, in regards to her father, the leader of Detroit Deluxe in ''{{WesternAnimation/Motorcity}}''. [[spoiler:Although she said she would take over for Detroit Deluxe if something were to happen to him, her intentions not being clear . . .]]
* Fred Jones in ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'' in regards to [[spoiler: both Mayor Jones and his biological parents]].
* Used for a quick joke on ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls''; the Gremloblin's glowing eyes can make whoever look into them live their worst fears. When Dipper tricks into looking into a mirror, the Gremloblin sees itself with glasses, with his reflection screaming, "You've become your father!"
** Played straight with Pacifica Northwest in Season 2; after seeing that her family has been nothing but a collection of [[CardCarryingVillain Card Carrying Villains]] for the last 150 years, she breaks from the tradition and genuinely helps someone other than herself, declaring that she intends to make up for all the wrong the Northwests have caused over the years.
* In ''WesternAnimation/ElenaOfAvalor'', Sir Cassius is a very good sport and take losing well compared to his father, Lord Elrod, who is highly competitive and will play dirty to avoid losing.

** The eponymous character wants to move away from his mother's legacy, since he can't live up to that legacy when everyone expects him to. Later on, when Steven learns about Rose's more questionable decisions, such as [[spoiler: (supposedly) shattering Pink Diamond and secretly imprisoning Bismuth]], he starts to question with whether or not he ''wants'' to be like her.

** An unusual example occurs with Mike Dodds, the son of a Deputy Chief of Police. Mike clearly likes and respects his father a great deal, but he doesn't seem especially inclined to follow in his father's footsteps as his father clearly expects; at one point, he indicates that he'd be perfectly happy to stay in a place where he's "comfortable" rather than focusing on trying to climb the ranks, which his father finds incomprehensible. (Unfortunately, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot this arc is cut short]] when Mike is [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal [[WeHardlyKnewYe after less than a season]].]])

** This is then subverted in about the most heartwarming way possible as the series continues: Nog's example ends up inspiring his father, Rom, to reach ''his'' full potential as well. In the fourth season, shortly after Nog leaves for the Academy, Rom quits his job at Quark's to take a position in the station's maintenance department, which he ends up being incredibly good at. So in the end, he ''did'' turn out like his father, but it's because Rom himself changed his life and became something that Nog would be proud to emulate.

** This is then subverted in about the most heartwarming way possible as the series continues: Nog's example ends up inspiring his father, Rom, to reach ''his'' full potential as well. In the fourth season, shortly after Nog leaves for the Academy, Rom quits his job at Quark's to take a position in the station's maintenance department, which he ends up being incredibly good at. So in the end, he ''did'' turn out like his father, but it's because Rom himself improved himself and began living a life that Nog would want to emulate.

** This is then subverted in about the most heartwarming way possible as the series continues: Nog's example ends up inspiring his father, Rom, to reach ''his'' full potential as well. In the fourth season, shortly after Nog leaves for the Academy, Rom quits his job at Quark's to take a position in the station's maintenance department, which he ends up being incredibly good at. So in the end, he ''did'' turn out like his father, but it's because Rom himself evolved beyond the model that Nog was so desperate to avoid.

* ''Series/BirdsOfPrey'':
** Helena Kyle has this attitude towards her father Franchise/{{Batman}}, despite taking up her father's mantle of Gotham's protector.

** An unusual example occurs with Mike Dodds, the son of a Deputy Chief of Police. Mike clearly likes and respects his father a great deal, but he doesn't seem especially inclined to follow in his father's footsteps; at one point, he indicates that he'd be perfectly happy to stay in a place where he's "comfortable" rather than focusing on trying to climb the ranks, which his father finds incomprehensible. (Unfortunately, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot this arc is cut short]] when Mike is [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal [[WeHardlyKnewYe after less than a season]].]])

** An unusual example occurs with Mike Dodds, the son of a Deputy Chief of Police. Mike clearly likes and respects his father a great deal, but he doesn't seem especially inclined to follow in his father's footsteps; at one point, he indicates that he'd be perfectly happy to stay in a place where he's "comfortable" rather than focusing on trying to climb the ranks. (Unfortunately, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot this arc is cut short]] when Mike is [[spoiler:KilledOffForReal [[WeHardlyKnewYe after less than a season]].]]