If You Lead Like Mom
May 3, 2011
DAN MULHERN, the wife, I mean, husband of Jennifer Granholm, the former Democratic governor of Michigan, has written an inspiring letter to his 13-year-old son in Newsweek, telling him that if he’s lucky he may be a housewife someday. Mulhern tells his son:
When I launched my leadership consulting business, I enjoyed “eating what I killed,” as the macho maxim puts it. But the choices Mom and I made to put her public service in front of my career, and for me to lead at home, left me vulnerable and caused me to rethink what it means to “be a man.” It has not been a tragic end to my manhood, but a wondrous beginning. It’ll get even better for you…
… As a modern man, you’ll learn way more than if you were large and in charge. It used to be a man’s world (and, in some measure, it still is). If you lead like Mom, you’ll know how to persevere. You need not fear strong women, or dismiss gentle men. And if you so choose, you’ll be a great stay-at-home or lead parent, giving and receiving incredible lessons and profound joy. Either way, it’s a great time to be a man.
— Comments —
A female reader writes:
What a pathetic article. A completely emasculated person tries to convince his son that the utterly unnatural situation he is in is perfectly normal, and even desirable. Hilarity ensues.
I don’t think I’m a troglodyte for thinking the traditional arrangement my parents made work so well is sexist or otherwise wrong. I think it’s right. I want to make the arrangement work for me. I don’t think that makes me a bad person. And I’m glad that you so ably defend that traditional institution.
MarkyMark writes:
The piece by that man makes me sick.
