Who's In Charge?

Okay, so again I was talking with my mom, and we were talking about another one of those stereotypical gender roles, where the woman is responsible for taking care of the man.  So the man isn't taking care of himself, and it's the woman who is expected to be taking care of the man for him.  So for instance, say this man is supposed to be eating healthier and losing weight.  The woman has made every effort to help the man accomplish these things.  But the man really just doesn't want to be bothered.  He'd rather eat his sweets.  The doctor tells the woman that the man really needs to lose weight, as if it is her responsibility to take care of this.  The woman tells the doctor he's preaching to the choir.  She tells him that she has tried many ways to help the man, but nothing is working.  And she points out that she also needs to eat healthy and lose weight, but you don't see the man helping her to do that for herself.  So why is she expected to help him do it for himself?  It's so true.  Men aren't babies, they are responsible for their own actions and their own lives.  Do women feel the need to baby men and take care of them?  Are men used to having women take care of them, so they don't bother to do it themselves?  It really makes you wonder.

RIP Ann B Davis

So sorry to hear of the passing of Ann B Davis, best known as Alice in "The Brady Bunch".  I always enjoyed her in that show.  She seemed like a great lady.  I hope she rests in peace.  My condolences to all her loved ones.

After Changes Upon Changes

My mother and I were discussing how men still seem to set the lead in terms of what happens with the relationship and the family.  For all the changes that have occurred, we are still basically the same in that the women will usually defer to the men, at least in terms of where to live.  It reminded me of a line from an old Simon and Garfunkel song that says, "after changes upon changes, we are more or less the same".  Such a great line, it is so true.

Stereotypical Ads

I keep looking at all the ads for Father's Day, and it gets me to thinking about all of the long lasting stereotypes out there about gender.  The gifts for dads are always things for grilling, hunting, fishing, sports, etc.  Just last month we were inundated with ads for moms and Mother's Day.  Those ads were for the stereotypical girl things like flowers, candy, pictures of kids and family.  I know (as I'm sure you know) many people who do not fit into these traditional stereotypes.  It seems that there are fewer and fewer people who fit into these traditional roles, and yet we still look at dolls for girls and trucks for boys.  Is advertising and marketing so far behind and stuck in a rut, or have we really not changed so much after all, are we still really locked in this antiquated mindset based on gender?

Let's Talk About Men

With Father's Day approaching, I'm thinking about the male role models in my life.  So let's talk about men, or perhaps male figures.  The role of men in relationships these days is very different from when I was growing up.  The traditional role was that of breadwinner, disciplinarian, top dog.  Things have changed a lot.  There is substantial overlap in the roles of men and women in families now.  That's a great thing.  People now seem more free to choose the path they want for themselves.  Anyone can stay at home and parent, go out into the workforce and work, and sometimes do both.  It's great to see more and more dads becoming more and more involved in their family's life.  It's crucial for both parents to be involved in their children's lives.  I have tried very hard to be as involved in my child's life as I possibly can.  The enjoyment I get out of sharing life with my son has been beyond my wildest imagination.  The rewards of parenting are absolutely unmatched by anything else.  I am so grateful to have him in my life.

Two Dads

I'm lucky, I really have 2 dads.  I have my biological father, as well as a step-father.  I am close with both of my dads.  I feel blessed to have both of them in my life.

Father's Day is coming up. How has your father contributed to who you are?