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I can barely keep up with the substantial outputs (many authored by women) describing the burden of COVID19 on working mothers #WomenInSTEM #academia etc. which is clearly evident & devastating on all fronts. However, I'm puzzled by the lack of scholarship or public debate 1/n https://twitter.com/DrCChambers/status/1281199063266967553
with regard to the apparent lack of engagement (failure?) of men (fathers, partners) in addressing housework, childcare, during a crisis. Where r the articles asking why working fathers are failing? Why aren't mothers demanding more of partners? Too controversial a question?
Of course, there is more nuance that can be accommodated by 248 characters & there are data that challenge this POV suggesting men are doing more (but apparently not enough - why?) https://contemporaryfamilies.org/covid-couples-division-of-labor/
And there r reports of striking variations in perceptions of workload share by men and women. Why? Do we need more facilitated negotiation training for women? Awareness training for men? Why are male perceptions so mismatched? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/upshot/pandemic-chores-homeschooling-gender.html
Why don't men hold themselves more accountable and to higher standards when it comes to contributions in the home? Or do they try? Is anyone studying this? How can we engage men, fathers, partners, working fathers in doing better & more? Should we? http://menengage.org/men-masculinities-and-covid-19-actions-resources-and-connecting-online/
Anecdotally, we know that parents (regardless of gender) are juggling/struggling. Parents in general & all those in care-giving roles are challenged. Impacts are differential in many ways & must always be viewed through an intersectional lens. https://www.embopress.org/doi/epdf/10.15252/embr.202050738
We need more uncomfortable conversations (particularly in Cda). These are essential conversations. Do we need more research? Let's have an honest debate, about what men (employers, partners, policy-makers) need to do now to reduce the burden on women. Get uncomfortable
Tons of research tells us gender equity is good (healthy) for men. Why aren't men advocating for it - rhetorical, I know why - so let's publicly discuss power, privilege, systemic sexism in society & why men need to step up https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2019/01/05/men-must-join-the-gender-equality-revolution-heres-why.html
Every time I see another article on the burden of COVID19 on working mothers, for which there is ample evidence & no doubt of the severity of impact, I wonder - wtf are the men/fathers doing (not doing)? Why aren't we talking about that & challenging men towards +ve change? Why?
