Parenthood as a means of sanctification (with the exception of Peter Pan) is a recurring theme.
I agree but you know what’s interesting, looking at your list? Apart from Rumple, none of those fathers were villains. Whereas–with the exception of Snow and Emma–all the mothers on my list were considered villains. The one truly villainous father that was also villain of the arc (Pan) was never redeemed. They really like setting up a female villain and then giving that female villain some sort of mother-role that eventually gets her to redemption.
Although of course, Rumple wasn’t a villain originally – just a weak man. In fact, it is interesting that he turns villainous precisely in order to save his son, so the narrative is kind of inversed in his case. But by and large, none of the father-child relationships have this salvational component. It seems like A&E keep reiterating a kind of “fallen woman” turned Madonna narrative. I wonder if they’re aware of this.