Just wanted to say that I’m glad that you’re covering this topic. I’m 70 years old now but was the first guy to attend a university’s Women’s Studies program when it began in 1974 and immediately became a feminist. Two years later, after my ex and I joined Planned Parenthood to take birthing classes in preparation for our first child, I began realizing not only the importance of young men waking up to the fact that societal norms and expectations were such that there was both a major imbalance in the roles of men and women, who are stereotyped and shortchanged in more ways than one can imagine, and was determined to live my own life as having an equal partner.
Fifty years later, after being a Mr. Mom of 3 kids who are now forty-something, I could definitely write a book on all the lessons and experiences that have made me a stronger and better person, as well as the difficulties that I encountered in a system where it is still difficult, if not impossible, to be understood or respected in having taken the high road.
The moral of the story is that I have great empathy and respect for women and the shit that you encounter in our culture and am with you all the way — Keep Fighting!!!
Given that you’re a writer and researcher, I also have to admit how proud I was to have run the campaign for the first woman to have won, in the 1990 Oregon gubernatorial race. Lots of firsts … humbly speaking!
It was life changing, but had a good head start as a small kid taking care of my mother at a time (1960s) when women couldn’t even get a bank account.
Years later, in 1990, Molly Yard who was the president of the National Organization of Women came through town on her national tour, I was told how impressed she was to have myself and one other guy knocking ourselves out to make sure her event was successful. We never forget that moment. Too many things to write about about have always recognized that I’m cut from a different cloth than most … Straight also, but have tons of empathy for others!!! 😊
This is an amazing comment! Thank you! I’d love to ask you - if you’re willing - how did your experience benefit you? I assume by your words it was worth it. Why was it worth it??
so excited about this, Kate! As someone who just had a child, I can confirm that this stuff is *hard* - glad you're offering folks the opportunity to approach it mindfully.
Just wanted to say that I’m glad that you’re covering this topic. I’m 70 years old now but was the first guy to attend a university’s Women’s Studies program when it began in 1974 and immediately became a feminist. Two years later, after my ex and I joined Planned Parenthood to take birthing classes in preparation for our first child, I began realizing not only the importance of young men waking up to the fact that societal norms and expectations were such that there was both a major imbalance in the roles of men and women, who are stereotyped and shortchanged in more ways than one can imagine, and was determined to live my own life as having an equal partner.
Fifty years later, after being a Mr. Mom of 3 kids who are now forty-something, I could definitely write a book on all the lessons and experiences that have made me a stronger and better person, as well as the difficulties that I encountered in a system where it is still difficult, if not impossible, to be understood or respected in having taken the high road.
The moral of the story is that I have great empathy and respect for women and the shit that you encounter in our culture and am with you all the way — Keep Fighting!!!
Kate -
Given that you’re a writer and researcher, I also have to admit how proud I was to have run the campaign for the first woman to have won, in the 1990 Oregon gubernatorial race. Lots of firsts … humbly speaking!
It was life changing, but had a good head start as a small kid taking care of my mother at a time (1960s) when women couldn’t even get a bank account.
Years later, in 1990, Molly Yard who was the president of the National Organization of Women came through town on her national tour, I was told how impressed she was to have myself and one other guy knocking ourselves out to make sure her event was successful. We never forget that moment. Too many things to write about about have always recognized that I’m cut from a different cloth than most … Straight also, but have tons of empathy for others!!! 😊
Well, it is an honor that you read my substack. Thank you! I hope you keep commenting and sharing your story in the future, too.
This is an amazing comment! Thank you! I’d love to ask you - if you’re willing - how did your experience benefit you? I assume by your words it was worth it. Why was it worth it??
This is really cool, I hope it is a huge success!
so excited about this, Kate! As someone who just had a child, I can confirm that this stuff is *hard* - glad you're offering folks the opportunity to approach it mindfully.