The Artdog Quote(s) of the Week

Once again, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is onto something. Ginsburg’s whole career has been a struggle for gender equality, probably since well before the Dean of the Harvard Law School asked her and eight female classmates, “Why are you at Harvard Law School, taking the place of a man?” It’s no surprise she advocates sharing the childcare.

My Quotes of the Week this month are inspired by Women’s Equality Day, but of course, true feminism isn’t only focused on women’s rights. Gender equality benefits both sexes. And sharing the childcare is one of those areas where all sides benefit richly.

This image is devoted to a typographical treatment of a quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "Women will only have true equality when men share with them the responsibility of bringing up the next generation."

It may at first seem odd to claim that sharing child care responsibilities benefits men, but that’s mainly because of the cultural programming most of us have been receiving since birth. The benefits to both men and the children they nurture are clear from many studies. 

Yet fractured families and cultural norms too often unhelpfully keep men out of children’s lives. Few men become professionals in early childhood education, and when they do they may be looked upon with suspicion. Yet studies have shown that men who are involved in the intimate details of caring for small children are less likely to be abusers than men who are less involved.

This image combines a photo of Gloria Steinem with a quote from her: "We've begun to raise our daughters more like sons . . . but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters"

But males sharing the childcare (and doing household chores) can bring other benefits, too. A 2014 study revealed that couples who split household chores equally tend to have sex more often, and report satisfaction with their sexual experiences, than couples in less egalitarian arrangements. 

The feminist ideal would have neither gender constrained to an arbitrary gender role. That would be better for mothers, better for fathers, and most certainly better for the next generation.

Parents sharing the childcare: this photo shows a smiling father holding a laughing baby, who's being entertained by his mother playing "peek-a-boo."
When fathers and mothers share the childcare everyone benefits. (uncredited photo from Aviva)

IMAGE CREDIT: Many thanks to DesiBucket and Lifehack Quotes, for the quote from the Notorious, and to AZ Quotes for the thought from Gloria Steinem. The photo of the parents and child enjoying a playful moment is courtesy of Aviva UK.