Posted on 31. Oct, 2004 by Brian Reid in General
Knowing is half the battle: please get your blood pressure meds refilled, dads look poised to take another hit in the media. Amy was nice enough to point out this babycenter.com thread about a 20/20 request for interview subjects for an upcoming show on lazy husbands. Here’s the posting:
ATTENTION WORKING MOMS: Does your husband pull his weight around the house, helping with the chores and kids? Or do you make up the slack, alone? Is getting your man to do housework like pulling teeth? And are you becoming resentful because of this? If so, “20/20″ wants to help. We’re looking for couples who are willing to go on TV and discuss these issues (preferably in the Bay area or NYC area). We’ve recruited a nationally-renowned expert (author of The Lazy Husband: How to Get Men To Do More Parenting and Housework!) who will help divvy out the chores and give insights into how to make the house run smoother and happier for both husband and wife. If you?re interested in participating, please email: ann.e.varney@abc.com. Please include a brief background and phone number.
This is agonizing, because — let’s face it — I happen to think that men should pull more of the weight around the house. But (again), getting guys to do more around the house starts with getting fathers to recognize that there are benefits to picking up more of the household slack (better sex, better relationship, better kid time, etc.). Maybe the 20/20 piece will reflect that more subtle understanding, but I fear not. This is TV, where the more boorish the dad is, the more compelling the piece will be. (I am not entirely without optimism: the “The Lazy Husband” guy (Joshua Coleman) apparently understands the issue, though starting off by labeling dad as “lazy” is probably counter-productive.)
I don’t think whining to Ms. Varney is a great bet. But I’ll throw this out to RD readers: if you’re an at-home dad who thinks your wife should be pitching in around the house more, shoot Varney an e-mail and let her know you’re interested. Maybe that will blow — at the very least — the silly gender assumption.
ALSO: I’ll be back in the posting groove this week, blogging as a distraction from my generally unhealthy political-junkie tendencies.
Hogan Hilling
31. Oct, 2004
Not surprised. Most of the media attention spotlights dads when they are doing something stupid or wrong; or not doing enough. Dads also receive very little positive reinforcement or praise. I think it’s because most people don’t know how to recognize a good dad when they see one.
I know lots of dads, at-home and working, in my community who deserve some recognition but they have yet to receive any.
Daddy On Guys!
Hogan