About the “natural childbirth” thing. Back 30 or so years ago when Joan Rivers was actually funny she did a bit about that. She talked about how when she was in labor, someone tried to convince her to have natural childbirth. She suggested that they try a “natural root canal” and see how that worked out.

Every time someone mentions natural child birth I think of that and laugh.

Sometimes inappropriately.

Maybe.Picking and choosing what parenting acts and lore to share within your community, among friends, within family . .

I coached her for all four births. She didn’t break my hand or turn all bitchy. She was in incredible pain and I did my best to support her. I didn’t need instructions in becoming a temporary door mat, and I wouldn’t have heeded any had they come. We’re a team. I pity folks who don’t know what that’s like.

Many biases and prejudices are leftovers from ignorance or social values of previous generations, and thus accepted lore that isn’t questioned. Man-hating was the in thing at the heights of the Women’s Movement. Some of it was justified, some intended to generate division and distrust between men and women. But we don’t have a good road map to get to a well-balanced alternative.

And Guffaw1952? If a job needs doing, only Organized Labor decides that some do and some don’t. Some men decide that bringing home the paycheck is all they need to do in the family. Rather fewer of them are still married, later in life. Luck.