One of the most potentially controversial aspects of Hogan Knows Best is the seeming double standard that exists between Nick and Brooke. Nick is encouraged to date (remember the weight-room scene from the cruise episode, in which he and his father compared pick-up lines?), while Brooke, um, isn't (see all of this week's episode). When Terry discovers Nick in a hot tub with four girls, Terry essentially gives him the thumbs up -- you get the feeling that it would be a much different story if it were Brooke in there with multiple guys.

Brooke is all-too aware that things aren't exactly equal in the Hogan household. "My brother gets to do everything and I have to stay home and work," she explains. "I've talked to my dad about this, but nothing really changes. They worry about my safety, so I just have to let them protect me, I guess. I feel like I have my head on my shoulders better than my brother does."

Since this week's episode was focused on Brooke's dating life (or lack there of, according to Terry), we thought it would be a good time to talk to the Hogans about their parenting philosophy. After the jump is an excerpt from a discussion on the matter between Terry and Linda. As they talked, Brooke lingered nearby, perhaps looking for some insight herself.

Terry:

There are two trains of thought: girls and boys. People have different perceptions. A boy can go out and sleep with a bunch of girls and it's, "Hey man, what a stud." Whereas a girl goes out and sleeps with a bunch of different boys and it's, "What a whore." There are two sets of rules, no matter what anybody says, perception-wise. In this world that we live in today, girls and boys are perceived differently. Because I'm living in this world, I'm sensitive to what other people think of my children. If Brooke were in the hot tub with a bunch of guys in the cruise episode, I would have had a different reaction. Viewers might have thought she was a hoe, and that's just the way the world is. With Brooke, she's 18 now. Just like I did all the faking in the ring and all the bluffing in the ring, I did that with her up until her 18th birthday. The guy's 23, my daughter's 16: "Forget it, brother. Get out of here. I'll beat your ass." When she turned 18, I told her she could come and go as she pleases, you know, as long as she tells me when she's coming and going, if she's living under my roof. I don't want to be looking at my clock at 4 in the morning, worrying about where she is.

Linda:

Do you believe that? That he won't worry about her anymore now that she's 18?

Terry:

I do worry, but she can make her own decisions. I just hope she makes the right ones. You can make a bad choice at 18 and ruin your whole life. And I tell her, "You better be careful because it will affect your career and your life and everything."

Linda:

To bring it back to square one, in this world today and as liberal as things have gotten, the bottom line is that people still have the same, old-fashioned values built in. It's a built-in perception that that's the right way to be. I'm sorry, but people still think girls, if they act like that are going to have a bad image. It's OK for guys because guys don't have an image to live up to. They don't have to keep their legs crossed. I think that's what makes our show popular, that we still stick to those standards, or we try to do what people, in their hearts, believe is right.

Terry:

Basically, I'm a protective father and I'm just trying to protect my little girl. Would Brooke want to be in a hot tub on a cruise ship at 2 a.m. with 10 guys? Of course she would.

Brooke: No I wouldn't.

Comments

[Patti]

I agree, about the boys and girls difference of reputation. Right or wrong good or bad, girls are ladies and men are just boys. I gave my daughter all kinds of freedom with the consequences to follow. Everything she wanted to do that I didnt feel was appropriate before 18, I merely told her, you can do that when you turn 18. To this day at 27 yrs old, 98% of the things she wanted at 14-18 she still hasnt bothered to do even though she has the choice to do it. I feel like I saved her from some things that she didnt really need to take on before she was 18. Now she has her own career, and wants to be a singer and she is pursuing that as well. She has a husband and a 7 yr old son. She did all this after she was 18 and she even owns her own house. So I think if you help the kids along, helping them make decisions before they go out and just do it, you are doing them a favor. After 18 for boys or girls, they are on their own. I do agree with the fact, if you live under the same roof, let me know where you are at and what time. Be responsible for that. We parents worry, whether you are 12 or 95, if you live in the same house, be courtious and let someone know when you will be back. To much crazy stuff in this world today. Dont make me worry about ya!!
Love the show, and we watch it all the time!
Sincerely
Patti
Mission Viejo CA

[ENESHA HINTON]

Brooke how old are you?

[Gabi]

I think that Brooke should move out on her own and handle her own career. She's eighteen, and she shouldn't put up with half of what she does from her over-bearing parents. The only way she's gonna learn any lessons about life is the hard way.

[Christopher Holmes]

I totally have to agree with the double standard "The Hulkster" has. I've created a new nickname for him "The Pansy Ass."
Behind his muscles he is totally insecure. Here he has an eighteen year old ADULT daughter and he's selecting dates for her like he's living in some third world country. Hogan needs to grow some hair on his balls and let his daughter have some space. Besides what does his son do on the show. What is his talent other than driving his scooter around Miami neighborhoods without a license and you don't hear Hogan bitch at him.

I used to enjoy watching his show, but ever since the dating episode I have lost total respect for him and the rest of his bullshit.

[Kittie]

why is Terry so freekin' obessive about Brooke being out on dates. She's older than Nick and he doesn't worry about him! omg!

[stephen]

the only thing i can say is that if brooke doesn't begin dating off and on now, while she's young how can she figure out what type of guy she wants for the future or during a period of just dating. for some people it can really effect what is or isn't a good relationship or what a relationship is made of. she needs to learn all the ups and downs and when to move on and find someone else. i know she's a special case, in some sense and not because other father's feel the same way about their girls safety. maybe she could do something like that show parental control and have her parents interview guys.

[Moonlightandwine]

I'm 100% in agreement with Mr and Mrs. Hulkster being overbearing and overprotective with Brooke. She is the legal age of 18 and if she wanted she could just ignore her parents and do just what she wants to do. However, she is a "good girl" with respect. One day, though, she will get tired of the control and will break loose and go crazy doing what she has been kept from doing for so long. Then the parents will see what a BIG mistake they make in being so overprotective. In being the way they are it tells Brooke that they don't trust her choices and doesn's send a very good message to her. She is a smart, intelligent, beautiful, respectful, young woman who is quite capable of making "good" choices if she were allowed to. I say, "CHILL OUT, Mr. and Mrs"! Let your daughter live her life. She won't go far, and will always return. Give her a chance at happiness. All she does is work..work..work, and follow your "flimsy" rules. She looks so miserable all the time! You go Brooke, girl!

[kati]

I think everybody is forgetting that this family has fame, whether they like it or not. I agree with them being overprotective, not necessarily on the double standard, but they need to protect their kids from the scumbags of the world. However, I don't think Terry needs to even show that he's overprotective. His mere size and intimidation I'm sure have guys running before they even get to the door.

[PoopinGale]

First of all, everyone needs to understand that this is TELEVISION. It's a front. And if he was really that concerned with her dating and all that jazz, he wouldn't let her dress the way she does. Like a skank.

Maybe if she left the house in something a little more respectable, things would be a little different.

Just my opinion

[D]

Brooke needs to run, not walk, out of that house. That situation is so far from healthy and the way that he covets her kind of creeps me out.

[Kathy]

I remember the episode with Nick and his girlfriend, I was so mad at the double standard, I think the standards they set for the Brooke should apply to Nick. I think I heard something about a boy can't come home pregnant, but he can bring home a pregnant girl, if I was a girls mother and saw her boyfriends parents letting their son do whatever he wants with my daughter, I would think that would be so disrespectful to me as a parent. They need to let Brooke grow up and make decisions, sometimes when you don't let your kids make their own decsions, it back fires and they go out and get crazy...I must agree the "Hulk" has pissed me off a few times and others I find him to be so cool. But I do see that they do Love each other, which is the most important thing.

[C. Repetti]

I think that the Hogans are one of the only functional families in show business. When Brooke is ready to date someone that really catches her eye,Terry will back off if because he is intelligent & definately doesn't want to stir up any animosity between Brooke and himself. Terry and Brooke trust one another,not to mention respect each other's opinions,so right now it is the right thing to do for Brooke to focus on her career, and not boys. Times may change,but people don't. People cannot really change, they can merely modify their behavior, and I don't believe any of the Hogan's need to worry about their images any time soon. Terry and Linda have built a very solid foundation for their children to build their life upon,and there really aren't too many obvious mistakes they have made in raising their children because if they did, Brooke and Nick would reflect it in their own personalities. I'm just a #1 fan from Belleair!

[C. Repetti]

I think that the Hogans are one of the only functional families in show business. When Brooke is ready to date someone that really catches her eye,Terry will back off if because he is intelligent & definately doesn't want to stir up any animosity between Brooke and himself. Terry and Brooke trust one another,not to mention respect each other's opinions,so right now it is the right thing to do for Brooke to focus on her career, and not boys. Times may change,but people don't. People cannot really change, they can merely modify their behavior, and I don't believe any of the Hogan's need to worry about their images any time soon. Terry and Linda have built a very solid foundation for their children to build their life upon,and there really aren't too many obvious mistakes they have made in raising their children because if they did, Brooke and Nick would reflect it in their own personalities. I'm just a #1 fan from Belleair!

[SHANELLE]

I THINK DA MOM IS SO PRETTY ALSO. I LIK HOW TERRY IS A GOOD PROTECTION FOR HIS DAUGHTER. I DONT BLAME HIM DO. BUT SHE 18 NOW SHOOT DEM BOYS WANNA HOLA AT HER. LET MY GIRL DATE. BUT IF DEY BOYS TRY HA SHE NO WAT TO DO. GET HER DADDY.. I REALLY WANT TO MEET YOU ONE DAY ALL OF YAL..