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Is parenthood the last bastion of sexism?
Submitted by community on Wed, 24/10/2007 - 1:00pm
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Unfortunately, that really pressed one of my buttons. I collected my son, and found a whiteboard marker on my way out. As we were leaving, I scribbled "What about DADS? Sexist piglets!!" on the notice in large letters. Next day, the notice had changed, with all references to mums changed to whanau ... I think some of the aunties, uncles, grandparents etc were equally miffed. As I was chatting to one of the kindy teachers on my way out, she took me aside and said, "Now tell me, are you responsible for yesterday's graffiti?" I replied, "I cannot tell a lie. It was me, and I was upset by what I see as the continued norm of acceptability of sexism - it sets a bad example for the kids." She commented, "I rather thought so. It had [my surname] written all over it!". I laughed, but it's no Joke. Somehow, it's still not really OK to be a man at Kindy, and while the teachers are really great, I get the feeling that most of the mums would really rather that we didn't exist. And this is from the very same people who would cry "sexist!" in disgust if an analogous event happened in the workplace. So why is parenthood, particularly of young children, the last bastion of sexism? -Anonymous 
 
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I was down at the Kindy last week to pick up my 4-year-old son. As I walked in, there was a notice on the board that began "Morning Tea for New Mums", and continued in the vein that it was important that new kindy mums not feel isolated, so a few more experienced mums were inviting all of the new ones round to one of the other mum's places for morning tea.
Fantastic! I'd love to see
Fantastic! I'd love to see some of your results up here on DIY dad.
I say go for it if you dads
I say go for it if you dads feel left out. Let the world know! As a kindy teacher I am working very hard (with a great team of teachers of course) to make our place "father-friendly" in every way we can. I have just completed a research project about dads and early education and I have been blown away by some of the comments and suggestions made by the dads. I loved doing this research as it seemed to give some fathers a "voice" that they may not have had before (for many different reasons). My research project is being marked at the moment so I can't give specifics about the results just yet. I am however hoping that once the project is marked, the research results will give me a "platform" to spread the word about some of the surprising discoveries I have made in this research process.
I have been thinking about
I have been thinking about just this for awhile now trying to figure out what the issue might be.
I've come up with all sorts of possible explanations like education ( the lack of ), previous experience of male disinterest in children, suspicion of ulterior motives ( peadophilia ), superiority ( they reckon they are better child rearers ) etc etc.
Ultimately once these ladies meet me and get to know me it all works out, but yes barriers need to be broken down.
Wanna know what the great thing about all this is ? I am a white, firmly middle-class, male and i'm getting discriminated against. FANTASTIC!
The anger, resentment and sometimes rage of having to prove myself over and over again to strangers who I really don't care about.
Why? To make it easier for those that follow.
I kinda enjoy the experience in a weird sort of way because I'm relaxed. Ultimately I couldn't care less what other's think. My partner and my children's opinion of me are all that really matters. Yes?
Instead of permanently having this weight of guilt for being a white, middle-class, male. I'm one of the downtrodden! What a blessed relief...
Hope this makes some kind of sense. It's all perfectly clear to me :-).
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