Scott Behson calls out an article defending traditional dads from the peer pressure of “50/50 dads” for unnecessarily insulting “involved” fathers and referring to them as “Wet Wipes”
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In a recent article titled “Confessions of a Slacker Dad: Why Being a 50/50 Parent Is Overrated,” British journalist Alex Bilmes describes himself as a traditional dad who enjoys long hours at work and business travel, leaves the heavy lifting to his girlfriend (who is a more domestic type), and generally takes a low-key CTFD approach to parenting with his kids (more TV and giggles, fewer educational outings). He also makes a point, as a matter of pride and as a way to differentiate himself from feminized/emasculated “50/50 Dads,” to NEVER carry a wet nap. He derisively calls men who do “Wet Wipes.”
Unsurprisingly, I found this article outrageous—so insulting to other dads! It struck me as yet another volley in the “Parenting Wars”—If you don’t parent the way I do, you must be wrong.
But I’m trying to be fair, so I re-read the article.
Bilmes concludes by saying that dads should feel free to parent in their own way—traditional or highly-involved—without social pressure to be a superdad. OK, I get that and actually agree. In fact, I’ve long been on the record as saying that every dad should parent in the way that is best for him and his family, there is no best approach, and that we dads have to resist the urge to criticize each other for different styles.
However, I’m still skeptical of Bilmes. After his long article that repeatedly insults highly-involved dads and makes sweeping gender generalizations based solely on personal anecdote, I don’t accept his tacked-on conciliatory ending. I shouldn’t have to wade through several layers of condescension and unnecessary cheap-shots just to give him an unearned benefit of the doubt.
It is clear Bilmes is judging highly-involved dads as something less than fully masculine. It’s just his opinion, and however much I disagree, he’s entitled to it.
But this attitude is destructive, contributing to corporate cultures that stigmatize men who dare to prioritize family and to a public policy that virtually ignores the importance of fatherhood. Further, it creates the impression that dads are reluctant or negligent parents by default, lowering expectations and limiting fathers’ roles. It is time we left these attitudes behind.
My advice to Alex Bilmes—Be whatever type of parent you want to be (short of being abusive or neglectful), let others choose their own styles, and stop being a judgmental jerk about it.
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What do you think about Bilmes’ article? Parenting wars? My response? Any experiences to share? Let’s discuss in the comments section.
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Article originally ran on FathersWorkandFamily.com; Credit: Image—Brett Neilson/Flickr
OK. I am not a player here, as a non-dad and a non-traditionalist in general. But you realize that you are really just complaining about his complaining about people complaining about him, right? And that you are allied with the source of most of the bullying here. (Even though you are right.) Traditional men feel judged, because they are consistently, well *judged*. (They also feel like everything in the world is their responsibility, being traditional men.) So he is just spewing back what is dumped on him. If there were something like equal pressure both ways, you would have a… Read more »
It seems to me that Bilmes’ approach is short sighted at best. As a father of teenagers it has been my experience that there is a bit more flexibility when your children are younger. They don’t require specific time. When my children were younger I worked longer hours and was much more unintentional about my relationship with my children. As my girls have grown they have become more demanding of my time. They specifically ask for time with me. They specifically want me to attend events that are important to them. Being an absent dad has very specific pitfalls. It… Read more »
Thanks, Torsten! I know the writer is trying to be hip and edgy and all, but it was really just arrogant prickitude!
Scott, thank you so much for writing this post! I felt exactly like you when reading that article. I was furious, angry and at first quite speechless by Bilmes’ arrogant words. I think Bilmes’ article didn’t help or enlighten anyone (or maybe just Bilmes’ ego). But, like you, I re-read his article too and my conclusion was similar to yours: Because I choose a different parenting style, doesn’t imply yours is wrong. – That’s to all parents, fathers included. Again, thanks Scott!!
If I ever find myself having a “divorce thought” about my husband, I take one look at him with our children and fall in love with him all over again. Nurturing men are sexy. So are ones that do laundry. Seriously, when a man is being present as a parent and spouse and really stepping up, mama will feel less overwhelmed & more supported. That’s a turn-on. Slacking. Is. Not.
Thanks, Juniper. (I’ll have to share this with my wofe…) 😉