Fatherhood and Masculinity

In this essay I will examine the positions “pro-equality” and “pro-family”. I will include Joel Anderson’s view on gender equality, and provide reasons in support of his claim. I will explain the opposing position of neo-traditionalism, using support from the essay by Michael Blankenhorn. I will point out which position I agree with and my reasons for doing so. 
   
Feminist Joel Anderson believes that gender equality is not to blame for problems within the family. In his essay “Is Equality Tearing Families Apart?”,Anderson explains that for some people there is conflict between the positions pro-equality and pro-family, but the positions can be compatible with another, by saying “stable, rewarding family life is perfectly compatible with egalitarian feminist demands for genderless parenting, equal power, and freedom of opportunity (Anderson 365).” Instead of choosing one position over another, Anderson says that “a good society” must be both pro-family and pro-equality (365). 

Pro-equality means that women should be not treated like they are inferior to men. Anderson points out three main features that characterize pro-equality: genderless parenting, equal negotiating positions, and equality of individual opportunity. Genderless parenting does not deny that there will be differences between the role of mother and the role of father, but that the parents should not be stuck in one position or the other. (367). This gives the parents flexibility and maintains their role differences at the same time. 
   
Neo-traditionalists are against genderless parenting because they believe that families lose stability when they break from the traditional “male breadwinner” and “female homemaker” molds. Neo-traditionalists also assert that genderless parenting goes against what is natural, since women are “natural nurturers (Blankenhorn 366).”