Comments on: DAD 2.008

By: Daniel D

Daniel D — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:18:56 +0000

I’m with Sci-Fi, Swen needs to unclentch a little.

By: henitsirk

henitsirk — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:32:29 +0000

I just edited a book on US demographics. Here’s one big reason we can’t go back to the good old days of mom at home: “Since 1980, housing prices alone have nearly doubled relative to the median earnings of a man with a full-time job.”

It’s not even about downsizing and being frugal. It’s about being able to afford a home in the first place.

By: SciFi Dad

SciFi Dad — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:18:09 +0000

@Sven:
I suggest you take it down a notch or two. Yes, the common-held stereotype that men are alcoholic nymphomaniac brooders is ancient and no longer applicable. However, at its simplest form, I think (at least for me) two of those are really all we need: the beer (or something consumable that is satisfying) and the some-some (because as much as we all like to joke, many married bedrooms are shadows of the DINK-day bedrooms after kids arrive). (For me, the time alone isn’t something I’m keen on; I get so little time with my kid that I want to spend Father’s Day with her.) If you’re so full of righteous indignation, please tell us: what would you want for Father’s Day?

OK. I just needed to do that.

I wrote a similar thing a while back. The lines are a lot more blurred than they were when our dads were parenting us, that’s for sure. The expectations on both parents are heavier now than they ever were, partly just because of economics (you call yourself “selfish” for being unwilling to change lifestyles in order to have one of you stay at home… the reality is that previous generations had your lifestyle on one income), partly due to the evolution of society.

http://talesfromthedadside.blogspot.com/

By: Shannon

Shannon — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:38:15 +0000

I think you hit the nail on the head when you say, “The problem is that somewhere in the last three or four decades we as a society have wrecked a perfectly functional lifestyle business model.” I’m all for women’s lib etc. but somewhere along the line, expectations got all out of whack. Now it seems both women AND men are expected to do EVERYTHING and do it well. Plus life is getting so darn expensive that both parents usually have to work to pay for the house not to mention vacations and extras. Tough times. Tough choices.

Enjoyed your article and hope to give my husband just what you suggested this Father’s Day.

http://thecolemine.wordpress.com/

By: Early Father’s Day Post « Mitch McDad’s World

Early Father’s Day Post « Mitch McDad’s World — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:14:46 +0000

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By: Jolly Green Dad

Jolly Green Dad — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:01:38 +0000

I commpletely agree with your comment about how we have regressed socially…..the two income mode does suck. However, I do think if we take a step back, we can make true progress and get back to much saner lives.

By: Sven

Sven — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:38:53 +0000

Yes, because men are nothing more tham burping, beer swilling, “give me some-some before bed” machines.

I know this article was in jest, but one gets tired of the constant bashing of the male half of the species. And the worst part is, most of it comes from the men.

Very, very far from perfect, indeed.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:34:13 +0000

I tried staying at home. It was too hard!

May your Father’s Day bring you all you want — in abundance.

Thanks for the gift ideas for my own hubby .

By: Suzanne Bastien

Suzanne Bastien — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:14:30 +0000

Very nice article.
Most of the men I know in my life are still stuck in the older days of fatherhood, so it’s nice to read an article about someone who’s stepping up to the plate.

It’s easier for me to do it alone than have someone sitting around taking up space.

I hope for Father’s day, you get all three of what you suggest… and two of the last one

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:12:23 +0000

I think life is tougher for the dad these days because with the women’s lib, they are expected to step up more. But just think of how much your father missed out on, and how many great things you would be missing out on if you weren’t a hands-on dad!