This is big. And validating. And so so so important for moving the needle on policy.
The one thing that bummed me out a bit, though, was that it completely ignored the disproportionate burden on mothers, especially in different sex couples. This is also a gender and society issue with gender and society solutions and the advisory skips that point entirely.
I couldn't help but read it and think about how there are going to be dads saying to their overloaded female partners -- "ooh, see? parenting is so stressful, I need more leisure time" 😒 without ever realizing that the stress of parenting is already nearly 100% on her shoulders.
(of course, the cynic in me recognizes that if we don't paint this as a gender neutral issue, policy will never shift because... well... politicians are mostly dudes who don't care very much about women's health)
I really wish I was seeing more people talking about it or are we just like "yeah, we know that"? It's finding its way into a piece I was already working on but I would love to hear what people think.
Yeah! I keep thinking about how important and big it feels for a big governmental body like the Office of the Surgeon General to take the time and effort to make this. You know that every single word was chosen so carefully, and I'm with you! It feels worth talking about.
I was reading the report yesterday and I don't think I learned anything I didn't already know from professional and personal experience and of course it doesn't capture every single note and nuance but it did feel really powerful to see it on a government website. It was very validating. I do hope it helps support further action.
This is big. And validating. And so so so important for moving the needle on policy.
The one thing that bummed me out a bit, though, was that it completely ignored the disproportionate burden on mothers, especially in different sex couples. This is also a gender and society issue with gender and society solutions and the advisory skips that point entirely.
I couldn't help but read it and think about how there are going to be dads saying to their overloaded female partners -- "ooh, see? parenting is so stressful, I need more leisure time" 😒 without ever realizing that the stress of parenting is already nearly 100% on her shoulders.
(of course, the cynic in me recognizes that if we don't paint this as a gender neutral issue, policy will never shift because... well... politicians are mostly dudes who don't care very much about women's health)
Oh that's a great point. I hadn't even thought about that yet!
I really wish I was seeing more people talking about it or are we just like "yeah, we know that"? It's finding its way into a piece I was already working on but I would love to hear what people think.
Yeah! I keep thinking about how important and big it feels for a big governmental body like the Office of the Surgeon General to take the time and effort to make this. You know that every single word was chosen so carefully, and I'm with you! It feels worth talking about.
I was reading the report yesterday and I don't think I learned anything I didn't already know from professional and personal experience and of course it doesn't capture every single note and nuance but it did feel really powerful to see it on a government website. It was very validating. I do hope it helps support further action.
you know I agree with this, Kathryn!