Just another darn woman trying to do a mans job.
Fathers are important to kids. So are mothers. Mothers and fathers together are far better than a mother and a father separated. While sometimes divorce is inevitable, we should do everything in society to help parents stay together.
I am a working mom. I wish I didn't have to work, but right now I do. For a time when we had our first baby my husband was only working part-time. He was home three days a week with our daughter for nearly a year. Today, she is 8 and they have an outstanding relationship.
Dads need to be there as often as they can. Career is important, but family must always top the list. Family is my number one focus, and I would have it no other way. Because family is my number one focus, I have lost out on promotions and raises and recognition because I do not put in the extra hours needed to "get ahead" -- or go out to expensive lunches, or go drinking after work. That's fine by me.
My husband helps around the house. We split the chores. We argue about it (I would rather play with the kids than clean the house). But we are together, and we will stay together (unless he cheats on me, then I'll be a widow.) The importance is communication and common goals.
Anyway, my point (if I had one) is that children need both parents, and men and women need a stable and equitable relationship with mutual support and love.
Pretty straightforward, innocuous stuff, no?
I don't think it's innocuous at all. I think it's a continuation of the same hateful, disgusting lies we've been hearing for twenty years; lies that need a lot less polite toleration from "scholars and civic leaders" and a lot more outright condemnation before I think men should pay one bit of attention to this pompous-assery. Suppose I tell you that I'm in favor of racial equality, but that supporting racial equality does not mean promoting armed robbery, drug dealing, or gang rape. What is going through your head when I finish saying that? Is it that I'm in favor of racial equality, or that I'm a frigging bigot trying to sound polite? I've been listening to polite bigots tell me about my wife-beating and my tyrannical behavior for thirty years. I've heard all I want to hear of it, thankyewverymuch. At this point, telling me about my skill at rhythm and dancing and eating watermelon would be an improvement. If they can't go even that far, I say to Hell with them. |