In class, someone mentioned stay-at-home dads. In terms of heteronormitivy, this situation is not typically suggested or preferred. Yet, I think today, this family set up is more and more common. (Actually, it is more common that both parents work now, as this is necessary for economic stability as well as the fact that both parents have ambitions and dreams in terms of their professional and personal goals.)
There are though, different forms of media that are sending messages that the stay at home dad situation is o.k. The first one that I can think of is Daddy Day Care. This was the first movie that I saw in which the dad stayed home to raise the child. There is also a show on TV now called Parenthood. On of the families on the show features a Dad who stays home to raise their daughter and the mother, who is a high profile, very successful lawyer. Their situation does work out well, but on the show, they make sure the husband maintains his masculinity, by practicing carpentry. Almost making sure to not portray him as too motherly. It is interesting to see that now different forms of families are beginning to be more accepted (in terms of gender roles), but they may not be totally accepted yet.
I do agree with you that stay-at-home dads are becoming more popular because women are becoming more independent and powerful. I honestly think that stay-at-home-dad's sometimes do a better job at taking care of the family rather than the mom. I can't say that this is completely true, but when TV Shows and movies show stay-at-home-dad's spending time with their children, it seems more fun and exciting and seems like they are doing a great job. This is common in the African American culture though because usually the woman is the educated one and the dad is the one to stay home and take care of the children.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't make sweeping statements like this about groups of people. It's better to work with either your own experience or stay away from making totalizing declarations.
DeleteI was going to mention the Parenthood example in class because it's a different situation with him. It kind of ties back in to what someone mentioned about masculinity, not necessarily gender roles. Because, although he is a carpenter, eventually the stay-at-home dad (I forgot the character's name, I haven't watched the show in so long) gets angry when his wife keeps asking him to do "house wife" chores. He gets frustrated because he feels as though he is losing his masculinity, he feels the need to re-establish his masculinity through carpentry but for some reason isn't able to that I can't remember.
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