The problem is that in the last generation or so we yet come to assume that women should be able, and should want, to do everything that by tradition men have done at the same time as pretty well everything that by tradition women have done. And it’s just not possible. Indeed since adopting a male agenda in life is arguably only another form of submission, quite a number of highly educated and economically privileged women are now opting to take career breaks so as to be at home with their children for longer than that insulting 18 weeks.
The most welcome trend in parenting is that men are participating more and more. Even that is not free of conflict, though. Intellectually, women want men to be equal parents and do their share. But there’s often a contradictory emo- tional sub-text because children are the last bastion of distaff power in the family. "I want him to help me but this is my territory and being better at it is one of the few things I’ve got as a female. "In truth, although they haven’t had genera- tions of practice, there’s no reason why men can’t rear children as well as women. Men left to cope after bereavement or divorce, as well as some who take on the role of principal cater within a partnership, are already doing it.