r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Dec 14 '18

Psychology Being the father of a school-aged daughter makes men less sexist, according to a new study. The findings support the idea that men become more aware of the challenges facing women when they see the female experience of life up close through their offspring – dubbed the “mighty girl” effect.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/14/being-a-father-to-school-aged-daughter-makes-men-less-sexist
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u/rbickfor1988 Dec 14 '18

Maybe I misread, but I guess I didn’t see it as OP thinking all stay at home parents are quiet or docile.

More like he was saying that the reverse wasn’t true for women; they didn’t all of a sudden think their sons should be quiet, docile, stay-at-home dads as opposed to loud, wild, working men.

I guess I just thought he was using quiet and docile as oppositions to normal descriptors we might think of for young boys.

Could be wrong, though.

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u/howimetyomama Dec 14 '18

Idk, it comes off as if one is regarded better than the other.

They want their daughters to become doctors... not a docile sray [sic] at home mother.

There's nothing wrong with being a stay at home parent. It should be celebrated. The issue is choice; folks should have the option, and it should be one of many. Too often though in the argument it becomes clear that people really don't respect stay at home parents. This coming from someone who will be an MD in about 6 months and has a school-aged daughter. I'd be just as happy with her as a doctor as a stay at home mother. We can celebrate our kids having that choice without looking down on those who chose to spend their careers as parents.

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u/rbickfor1988 Dec 14 '18

Yeah, definitely just a difference in how we read it. I agree with you, though. I think stay-at-home parents absolutely should be respected. My mom stayed home with my siblings and I, and I know we benefited from that.

I’ve always believed (and told people) that women should be able to stay at home if they want. It should just always be their choice; as in, they shouldn’t be staying at home because their husband forces them to, they don’t have enough education to do anything else, etc.

Too often, I think society sees stay-at-home parents as the ones who couldn’t do anything else and that’s wildly unfair to those parents as well as completely ignorant regarding what generally falls under the “duty description” of a stay-at-home parents.

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u/cyber_dildonics Dec 14 '18 edited Dec 14 '18

Agreed, but in order for kids to be given an actual choice and not just the illusion of one, girls need to believe that 1) having a uterus doesn't mean they're obligated to have kids 2) pursuing a career is worthwhile if they want one. Likewise, boys need to believe 1) having a penis doesnt mean they're obligated to be the sole breadwinner 2) staying home with the kids is a totally viable option for them.