Too Quick to Judge?
Posted on 09. Mar, 2006 by Brian Reid in General
OK. Maybe I was too quick to condemn the recent rash (destined, I fear, to speak) of stories about the mommy wars stories. If you’re paying attention, we’ve had Newsweek stories about it, Washington Post stories, an ongoing Good Morning America series and (according to rumor) some Today show segments.
(I’m intentionally not linking to these sources, since they contribute very little to what should be a serious discussion of work-life options for all parents. Suffice it to say that I’ve been unimpressed, particularly with Leslie Morgan Steiner’s Post piece, which included this jaw-dropping line: “Wouldn’t we be far better off if we accepted and supported all good, if disparate, mothering choices? Aren’t moms ultimately united in our quest to stay sane, raise good kids, provide each other with succor and support, and protect humankind from the overly aggressive, overly logical male half of the species?“)
But the fallout is shining a bit more light on dads. An intrepid reporter at ABCNews.com, looking for a new way to look at the issues the Good Morning America series is raising, began hearing more and more from dads who wanted to know where the “daddy wars” were at. (For clarification, we’re not at war, but fathers would like some acknowledgement that making increasingly difficult work-life choices, too.)
So the reporter, Jen Brown, penned a thoughtful piece about dads and the new realities for fathers. And she’s keeping an eye on the daddy space, so this — hopefully — will not be the last we hear of the daddy dilemmas.
Stephen
09. Mar, 2006
Wow! Beware the Matriarchy. lol
devra
10. Mar, 2006
Huh? “protect humankind from the overly aggressive, overly logical male half of the species” I strongly believe men are a part of humankind and I have a strange suspicion I am not along in this belief. Even if I remove the metal collander from my head, I think I will still hear people agreeing with me. ; )
Also, does half of a species exist? I suppose a minotaur could qualify. Hopefully I can ask Steiner when I see her on the 26th of March at an event where she and I will both be in attendance.
Becky
10. Mar, 2006
I read the Washington Post article. All her examples of attacks? They are PERCEPTIONS. Someone gave her a dirty look? Does she really KNOW what that person was thinking?
And because these are HER perceptions, that doesn’t mean they are the perceptions of ALL mothers.
People who are happy and secure in their choices and decisions don’t perceive nastiness at every turn. Yeah, sure. Some people are jerks. Some people are tired. Some people are stressed. Mothers can be all of these. Just like anyone else. We’re people too. So?
Get over it!
If you want to read useful information about motherhood and parenting, I suggest “The Truth Behind the Mommy Wars” by Miriam Peskowitz and “Mommy Guilt” by Devra Renner and Aviva Pflock.
We haven’t seen them on the morning talk shows yet, and I suspect it’s because media executives believe positive and supportive information doesn’t sell. (Oh, if they only knew.) And it might mean they’d have to actually shine a light on REAL parenting issues.