I love this. We've always taken for granted that men's high-profile jobs come with wives who do the hosting and public-facing symbolic work that grounds the husbands as family men. But we know that's rooted in sexism - why do we want a male version of that, a First or Second Gentleman, when we could throw out all the old ways and reimagine something new that better reflects the kind of careers and relationship that people like Harris and Emhoff actually already have? I hope we're lucky enough to have the two of them continue to show us new ways forward.
Yes, the idea of “husbandry” — of the family, the wife, the country — comes to mind. The ‘President’ as father, which is actually a model hundreds of years old! We’re a newish nation but modeled on very old paradigms…
I truly enjoyed your thoughts. It is so important for today’s situation but also demonstrates how history can shed light on our behaviours and how we can find new solutions.
There are these moments where suddenly you see something for what it is, or at least differently than you did before. Colin Jost’s opening was one of those…
Great piece! Loved this.
Thank you! I think the coming months will give us a number of opportunities to see how the patriarchy works up close and personal.
I love this. We've always taken for granted that men's high-profile jobs come with wives who do the hosting and public-facing symbolic work that grounds the husbands as family men. But we know that's rooted in sexism - why do we want a male version of that, a First or Second Gentleman, when we could throw out all the old ways and reimagine something new that better reflects the kind of careers and relationship that people like Harris and Emhoff actually already have? I hope we're lucky enough to have the two of them continue to show us new ways forward.
Yes, the idea of “husbandry” — of the family, the wife, the country — comes to mind. The ‘President’ as father, which is actually a model hundreds of years old! We’re a newish nation but modeled on very old paradigms…
Thank you!!
Thanks so much for your perspective on this issue!
I truly enjoyed your thoughts. It is so important for today’s situation but also demonstrates how history can shed light on our behaviours and how we can find new solutions.
There are these moments where suddenly you see something for what it is, or at least differently than you did before. Colin Jost’s opening was one of those…
Brilliant, brilliant essay!