And I was truly surprised at how many "impressed" looks I got from people as I pushed her stroller around the mall, as if a Dad alone with his child was somehow noteworthy instead of normal.
If people today are still surprised at seeing a man with a stroller in the middle of the day, is it any wonder they might think a woman in the CEO's chair is unusual?
It's two sides of the same coin; part of addressing gender inequality in the workplace is recognizing that men can (and should) play a part at home.
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First and foremost, let me say I love and appreciate your thoughts on gender equality - I'm looking forward to the day when my daughter is CEO of her own company and no one feels compelled to comment that she's a great "female" CEO. That said - I find myself smiling and nodding like an idiot at dads (...and moms alike) when they are out and about with their beautiful children. Not saying everyone is vicariously re-living that adorable (and exhausting) age - but at least some of us are simply "impressed" by the bonding time between parent and child (and a bit nostalgic...dare I say jealous.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and kind words.
DeleteI think you raise a very fair point. While I didn't get the feeling that this was the case during my mall trip, it's certainly possible the onlookers were impressed by a parent spending quality time with a child, not at the fact that the parent was a man.
Here's hoping that was actually the case; it would make for a worse story, but a better world. :)