Here is the fifth in my series of quotes from Who’s Your Daddy? And Other Writings on Queer Parenting. I’ll be running them for a couple of weeks courtesy of the book’s editor, Rachel Epstein. I’m choosing the quotes I feel are most intriguing and thought provoking; I don’t always agree with the sentiments, but I hope they will spur some discussion in the comments and encourage you to seek out the book for yourselves.
For more on how to get this Canadian-published volume (and you should!), see my original post about it.
Today’s quote is from Derek P. Scott, whose essay “From Queer to Paternity” (love that title!) discusses co-parenting with a bisexual woman and how fatherhood has changed his perceptions of community.
As I glance across the street to acknowledge another male parent I learn that straight men avoid eye contact with each other when they are walking stroller-bound kids to the park. They are engaged in the “too-cool-for-this-activity” one-handed stroller push. . . . These same gender-bound dads refuse to shout “Whee!” when pushing their infant on the swings, despite heartfelt pleas. I am saddened that their macho programming doesn’t allow for the joy of engaging whole-heartedly with their babies and sharing the pleasure with other men. Can these really be the folks that are privileged by the patriarchy?