So I was all prepared to rant about how our culture glorifies the stay-at-home dad for being such a "good guy" for doing all of the things that we expect of mothers... And then I got sidetracked. I stumbled upon this website that aims to connect stay-at-home dads with one another to discuss different issues that arise in the home.Initial reaction: These men should ask their partners and families for advice. Why do they feel the need to be so special? Parenting can be a group effort! Subsequent reaction: Wow. This is really cool.
After paging through this website, I realized how much it echoes the sentiments of feminist consciousness raising groups in the sixties. These men are connecting with one another about vasectomies, striking a work/life balance, their sex lives, raising children in today's world and so much more... Our Bodies Ourselves anyone? From diapers to bullying to dinnertime, these men are exchanging stories.
I guess the anonymity of the web makes it easier for men to talk to one another about these "unmanly" topics, and I truly hope that even men who are not stay-at-home dads start visiting and contributing to this site and others like it. In my opinion, this is a big step in the right direction. Maybe someday it will be the norm for parenting and domestic duties to be shared equally by both partners. Almost fifty years after women realized the value in swapping stories, men are finally talking to one another about issues in the home.
Note: This blog post is written in regard to two-parent homes. I fully recognize the amazing contributions that single parents can (and do!) make to the world. Please contact campusteam@feminist.org with any questions!
