McCain, Obama, and Biden Balance?
Featured Guest Blogger September 29th, 2008
Does anyone else find it curious that we are not hearing about how John McCain, Barack Obama, or Joe Biden will have to balance work and family? We are all WELL aware of the fact that Sarah Palin will…but what about the men?
I acknowledge that, historically and traditionally, the male head of the household was responsible for work outside of the home, while the female was in charge of child care and home tasks. However, haven’t we seen a shift in that paradigm?
At the Sloan Network, we see many, many articles on the importance of father involvement. This topic is often covered in the popular press, and many academics have devoted their careers to studying ONLY fathers. In our Encyclopedia entry on fathers, Scott Coltrane illustrates how fathers have become more involved in their families, and how mothers have increased their participation in the workforce. Even with all this research, the public discourse seems to pin family responsibilities on working mothers.
As a working woman with a working husband, I want to know your thoughts on why I could be criticized for my paid job, while my husband can avoid such social pressure…especially when research validates that it is so critical for him to remain involved with our family. Why are we so focused on Sarah Palin’s family and not the others? Perhaps the underlying belief is that mothers really do contribute more to the household when there are small children present? Perhaps we really do think men can earn a greater salary, so their role in the family is better sacrificed for a higher payoff? Is the work-family literature on fathers just lip service?
Grab a cup of coffee, sit down, and let us know your thoughts.
If you have a class or a group to whom you would like to teach this concept, check our suggested activity on media depictions of mothers and fathers.
I don’t find it strange at all, and I’m no apologist for men. I’m a single mom, and I believe from experience that as long there is one parent, whatever the gender, at focused on the kids even while working outside the home, the kids will be fine. Only only Palin has a special needs INFANT and a teenager with an unplanned pregnancy, two situations that I believe both parents (if there are two in the household) need to address and certainly not put second to a campaign. If Obama, the only other candidate who has kids under 18 as far as I know, had either of the two situations at home, I’m sure he would come under criticism and scrutiny.
Hadn’t thought about this till I read the post. I think its more of an issue for Obama with two young girls. McCain’s daughter is old enough to have her independence in the media etc.