Women ride elevators too.

In my list of articles you should read (to the right) is one discussing Vienna’s decision to use more progressive gender signs when labeling such activities as diaper changing and elevator use (this was previously a man-only sign). Vienna is going to begin displaying diaper-change signs with an image of a male doing this activity. Crazy! Why would we want to (1) acknowledge that men change diapers, (2) encourage this activity, (3) stop making men feel shame for doing a “woman’s” job, and (4) stop alienating men who are participatory, involved, and competent fathers? I can’t think of any reason.

The next thing you know Clorox will start saying “Papa’s got the magic of Clorox” (thankfully now only Mama’s got that magic); JIF will allow choosy dads and grandpas to choose JIF all by themselves (thankfully now they make a point to say “choosy moms—and dads/grandpas—choose JIF); and Pine Sol, Clorox, Lysol, Swiffer, Scrubbing Bubbles, Glade, baby shampoo, etc. products will start showing men using their products in their commercials. I’m sure Jerry Falwell and Franklin Graham will agree with me when I say such occurrences will likely be the reason God brings the next natural disaster or terrorist attack to the United States. In addition, women must continue to be the sole cleaners of toilets and disinfectors of kitchens or else they will turn into lesbians.

In all seriousness, of course women use cleaning and cooking products, and women change diapers and take care of babies, and this is perfectly okay; I’m not suggesting females stop doing these activities. What I am suggesting is that men be acknowledged for doing the same activities. Gone are the days when men could get away with not changing diapers because their lack of competence was cute and expected (unless you are watching America’s Funniest Home Videos with Jean Wickham in Celebration, Florida, and they show a series of men dry heaving while trying to change a poopy diaper—then it’s cute. And I’m sure women dry heave at baby poop too, it’s just not shown on America’s Funniest Home Videos). Vienna, at least, has begun to acknowledge that men are just as important and capable as women in child rearing and cultivating a healthy and loving family life, maybe because women are being acknowledged (although not yet payment-wise) as just as important and capable as men in providing income.

Cheers to you, Vienna. It's a start.