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Actress Shay Mitchell and boyfriend Matte Babel are documenting their parenting journey via their YouTube show, Almost Ready. And in a recent episode, the dad-to-be shared his (we're calling them unenlightened) thoughts on the use of epidurals with his unimpressed girlfriend.
"My mom didn't use an epidural...I meet women all the time who didn't choose to use epidurals," is just one of the problematic statements Matte made.
Sorry, but who's giving birth? (<-Read more about it)
The old-school thinking launched one reader into a few deep thoughts on the roles society assigns to men and women and how this plays out throughout the parenting journey.
Who knew a debate about epidurals would spark such profound thinking?
Read his letter below:
"Hello, I wouldn't know what to say or think when it comes to these things.
I don't understand why men younger then myself are unconscious about women's rights. My generation and older have made so many mistakes to learn from; I just don't understand.
We really have to be more considerate of what we say about women with respect to all aspects of life.
I'm 38-years-old, married nine years to a beautiful woman and have a beautiful six-year-old daughter.
And no, I never wanted a little boy because I don't see boys in the same light as society does. They're not little princes or shining stars.
A boy has these responsibilities from birth, and that's to be a protector and provider.
When boys aren't taught these values from a young age, they become the useless men we have in our society today — thinking as little as possible, doing as little as possible and still expecting women to be respectful and honour them as men.
Life has changed, and a man's role has become more important than ever because women are expected to do more, so as men, we have to stand strong and show our worth.
A man does the light work when it comes to children. We don't carry babies for 9 months, we don't breastfeed. Most men don't wash their babies or change diapers.
I don't understand how women think, feel or process anything. The only thing that's alike is our human nature: breathing, bleeding and hoping for the best in life."
Thank you,
Rafiek I
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