Irksome

There is a new animated film coming out, entitled "Mars Needs Moms."  And I am irked.  Mars doesn't need moms - it needs parents.  I hate, hate, hate that fathers are still being left out (this is one of just many examples).  Last week or so, I was listening to a debate about women fighting in combat zones and how one of the arguments against it was how could we send mothers into harms way like that?  Granted, it was on NPR, so no one was giving that argument much credence, but I know many others do.  I was really tempted to call-in (alas, I was driving) and say how devastated my daughter would be if she lost her Papa, just as much as if she lost her Mama.  Or if she lost anyone close to her.  So, if the concern truly is about the child's welfare (which it isn't, but let's pretend), then we should only send unloved, unattached people into combat.

And not only does this argument dismiss the important roles many fathers play in their kids' lives, but also continues to let men off the hook.  That because you have a penis and did not give birth to the child, you are not as important and therefore don't need to worry about being an important part of that child's life.

The argument is also very hetero-centric, since some kids have two moms or two dads.  In the latter instance, how do you decide which dad or which mom to send into combat.  Granted, those making this argument probably wouldn't want to see either, since they're likely also anti-gay in addition to being misogynistic.


It also doesn't acknowledge all the military single parents.  

Grrrr.....