parenting

A 1950s Alternative Universe

By on • ( 12 )

on Saturday night I found myself watching a late-night 1950s black and white movie – something I haven’t done much of since the demise of Bill Collins and Ivan Hutchinson’s shows. Oh, how I used to love those old black and white movies (cue massive eyeroll from the kids). Some of the interest lies in a mixture of plot points which appear to have been written while dropping acid combined with gender and class expectations which are all too real.

Something wrong in the wiring.

By on • ( 3 )

There must have been a glitch in my wiring then, somehow I got the ‘male’ wiring and I am obviously an affront to nature or at least to motherhood. I don’t want to be a ‘house-wife’ and I think that is a pretty awful term with a nasty stereotype “what did you do all day?” attached and doesn’t reflect the reality of unpaid work whether you have children or not. ‘Working mother’ is a tautology, because it doesn’t matter whether you are paid or unpaid you are still working. Bloody hard I might add.

BFTP: Playground accessibility for parents with disabilities

By on • ( 4 )

Parking and pathways and seating? This is a piece of cake. This is public design 101. It should be something that is an essential part of building new playgrounds and of upgrading existing ones.

But no one is bothering. People with disabilities are supposed to be the passive “cared-for”, not active carers.

BFTP: Parenting While Female: “It’s Not About You”

By on • ( 3 )

This is part of our December slowdown Blast From The Past reposting program. This post was originally published May 2nd, 2007.

I’ve been contemplating this post: The Male Gaze… falls upon a Nursing Mother…. by Morgan Gallagher. I think there’s an important truth in there, something feminists find themselves saying over and over and over again: “It’s not about you.”

Stop looking at my Mom

By on • ( 3 )

Bugs me to think that our children are introduced to sexual objectification so young by watching it happen to us. But on a positive note, how fantastic is this kid? Here is an interview with Astronomical Kid. (Do not read… Read More ›

Video: Learning Gender from Ads for Toys

By on • ( 8 )

These ads not only market toys to children but it also promotes and encourages gender specific values that are very limiting to boys and girls in different ways. The values and skills promoted in these commercials can play a critical role in the socalization of youth and their development of emotional expression, conflict resolution, the confidence to pursue various careers and the ability to maintain healthy relationships as adults.