The Today Show and At-Home Dads: Missed Opportunity

Posted on 28. Jan, 2009 by Brian Reid in General

For obvious and self-serving reasons, I am a fan of the Today Show. Their interest in at-home dads is evidently enduring, as the program broadcast their second segment on dads who stay home in less than a year:

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Because of my deep relationship with Matt Lauer, I don’t want to be too harsh with the fine folks at NBC, but this seems like a terrible missed opportunity. They took a smart and timely topic — dads forced into the home role by the economy — and rather than looking at what that will mean for gender roles writ large, they are content to make “doodie” jokes and basically run through the usual at-home dad script with the usual comments. Among my specific beefs:

  • Four “Mr. Mom” references in the first minute — and a clip from the movie? C’mon: that was 30 years ago. Dads in pop culture have moved on. Can’t broadcast news?
  • They got a great lead anecdote from a laid-off-dad-turned-SAHD. But in a city of, what, 7 million people, they couldn’t have unearthed someone who hadn’t told his story yet?
  • What in the world are they doing talking to the National Organization for Men as some sort of “expert.” From what I can tell, the group is dedicated to the bizarre idea that most of the bad things that befall women in this economy (like the shameful pay gap) are self-inflicted. Anyone who calls at-home mothers “gold diggers” does not speak for me.
But bonus points to Lauer for suggesting that guys new to the role seek out others in the same position. Hopefully, the net impact will be positive, and the web of fatherhood will only grow larger and tighter.

6 Responses to “The Today Show and At-Home Dads: Missed Opportunity”

  1. Kelly M. Bray

    29. Jan, 2009

    The so called pay gap is a result of the choices women make in their lives, not discrimination. Most women make a different choice of balance in their work / home equation and as such are paid based on this. You can earn more money or have a better life, you choose. Life is full difficult trade offs. I have chosen to spend a lot of time with my children as a single dad, as a result I do not expect to be able to earn the same as my friends who have taken a different course.

  2. Rebel Dad

    29. Jan, 2009

    Kelly -

    I wish that were true, but even if you account for all of those elements: years worked, field chosen, etc. etc. women *still* make less than men. The best explanation of this is online, if you have the time to dive deep:

    http://www.echidne-of-the-snakes.com/gendergap/

    Cheers,
    Brian

  3. David

    29. Jan, 2009

    As a new stay at home dad I cringe when ever I hear the term Mr. Mom. It was a funny movie back in the day, but I do hope we are all over it by now.

  4. DK

    30. Jan, 2009

    My issues with the “Mr. Mom” title is that it implies that taking care of kids is “woman’s work”. I’m also sure the Today Show wouldn’t do a story about the one man’s wife going to work and title it, “Mrs. Dad” and rightfully so.

  5. Lance Somerfeld

    25. Feb, 2009

    I am the guy in this segment that started an online dads meet up group for the benefit of stay at home dads connecting with one another in New york City and having a meet up event every week like going to the museum, zoo, park, or a free music class. If you want to join, please click on the link below. thanks

    Lance

    http://www.meetup.com/New-York-City-Dads-Meetup-Group/

  6. Kamala Lane

    05. Mar, 2009

    I really need to find a recent SAHD - one who made the decision to stay at home within the past year due to difficulty with the failing job market.

    I’m working on an economy story for the Associated Press. Thanx!

    Please contact klane@ap.org

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