Comments on: Thanks, Dad

By: Lauren Ivory

Lauren Ivory — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:27:02 +0000

Lovely! Just wonderful. I love your reflections gals! Kate, how amazing is your dad for asking you that?! I was thinking about something similar last night when I was watching TLC’s “what not to wear”. The lady was upset because her hair was cut short and she didnt think guys would like it. Then admitted it was disturbing to her that she put to much stock in what guys would like or not like and the idea that something about her would make them not like her just wrecked her. I yelled at the TV, “who cares if they like it or not!?” A statement that was more about wanting this woman to affirm herself and nothing to do with criticism of men. Its hard not to get defensive I’m sure, but in that instance, I think its important to know that it was about the woman, not a disrespect or dislike of men.

By: Kate Ward

Kate Ward — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:50:19 +0000

Jessica, it is so true that our fathers teach us how to be women. Mine taught me my first feminist critiques. I can remember singing “California Girls” around age seven and him asking me “Do you think it matters how all those girls felt about that boy?” Huh? I obviously didn’t get it right then, but he was trying to show me that women are subjects too.

Pres. Obama also touched on parenting daughters in this lovely Father’s Day reflection. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31437363/ns/fathers_day_guide//

By: Julia Walsh

Julia Walsh — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:58:28 +0000

Hey, Thanks Jessica! Great post! :)

I’ve been thinking this week about the things I learned from my Dad. And, I think one of the most important things I learned is my attitude of gratitude and awareness of my freedom. He would thank me for doing things he asked me to do, like house chores. And then when I would respond with confusion “But Dad, you told me to!” He would say “Oh sure, but you always have freedom and you could have chose not to.” Such an important life lesson for a girl that was growing… in retrospect it was much better than the allowance that my friends received and I never could.