Daddy Wars Definition
Posted on 21. Mar, 2006 by Brian Reid in General
I think the mommy wars meme is finally running its course; the number of brilliant anti-mommy wars posts on the web is now growing far faster than Leslie Morgan Steiner can whip up controversy. The Truth Behind the Mommy Wars — the only mommy wars book with the RebelDad stamp of approval — is up to number five on Google. (Special thanks to all the bloggers who are part of the mommy wars solution. Keep up the great work.)
So it must, then, be time for the daddy wars. Since I own daddywars.com (currently undeveloped), I get to define the term. Anyone in the media who uses a different definition will be taunted mercilessly in this space. Here goes:
Daddy Wars: The growing conflict between parents — primarily fathers — and their employers over flexible and varied work options that allow for more precise work-life balance. This conflict will be fueled by an increasing awareness that knowledge workers, with access to modern technology, are no longer bound by traditional working standards. More and more workers — able to work at any time from anywhere — will seek arrangements that allow them to maximize family time. But it won’t solely be the always-on crowd that is fighting. As more and more men seek to make parenthood a central part of their life, fathers of all stripes will ask for innovate workplace solutions.
These “daddy wars,” unlike the hyperbolic “mommy wars,” will include real conflict. Legal battles are already being fought, and increasing attention will be directed toward workplace discrimination against parents of both sexes and from all economic strata. The legal challenges are already well underway — Joan Williams and her WorkLifeLaw Center have been at the forefront. (The first battle was the fight of Kevin Knussman, a Maryland state trooper fired for taking Family and Medical Leave Act. According to Knussman: “When I protested, she said quote, ‘God made women to have babies,’ and until I could breast feed a baby, there was no way I could be a primary care provider.”)
For daddy warriors, there is a clear objective: change the workforce into a place that recognizes the worth of many types of workers and accommodates employee needs for flexibility. That, I think, is a war well worth waging.
9 Responses to “Daddy Wars Definition”
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03. Mar, 2010
[...] of my most fundamental beliefs is that we’re coming ever-closer to widespread “daddy wars.” Unlike the mommy wars, which is a media-created fiction in which go-to-work moms and [...]
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15. Mar, 2010
[...] to be a part of. I’ve been clear — mostly through my endless harping about the “daddy wars” — that the smartest, most productive companies of the future will be those that allow [...]
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01. Apr, 2010
[...] to be a niche issue that’s easy to pass off as a narrow “mommy” concern. We need Daddy Wars in order to take this issue to the next [...]
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16. Apr, 2010
[...] looked at how tough it is for at-home dads to re-enter the workforce. Further evidence that the Daddy Wars may be heating [...]
KZ
21. Mar, 2006
I think we have a great commanding general running Daddywars.com.
BTW, the WorkLifeLaw Center and fight of Kevin Knussman links don’t work. Musta been your first seargent’s fault.
Unbelievable quote by Knussman’s supervisor.
devra
21. Mar, 2006
Please let me know what I can do to support the war effort!
chip
21. Mar, 2006
Very excellent definition Brian!
BTW, Kevin’s superior needs to take a look at “Milkmen: Fathers who breastfeed”. It’s not for every guy, but hey, it is possible!
devra
22. Mar, 2006
Here is more information about male laction AND it mentions there is evidence to support war vets experience it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_lactation
Heather
24. Mar, 2006
I love that the daddy wars, as you have defined it, are about something real and important.
The so-called mommy wars are such a distraction from the real issues that affect all moms (child-care, health insurance). And while I think it is important to respond to the Steiner’s of the world, I am happy when the discussion turns to issues like workplace change.
Based on the number of responses to my Brian’s posts about working dad’s, there are a lot of parents out there who will join in your fight.
Keep up the good work.