It's just unfortunate to me to see people talk about wanting gender equity but then saying they'd never let a boy/young man babysit for them.

Right on. The patriarchy hurts everyone. We can start by giving mothers and fathers in this country a proper maternity/paternity leave system so they can bond and work together as a family, establishing that everyone has a part in raising a child, not just a mother. Or, start by setting an example for our children at…

Brilliant. You can come sit by me any time.

This attitude, so prevalent in the conservative/right-to-life movement, skeezes me out. The insinuation that you might suddenly be against freedom of choice because you love on specific baby is insulting. Adults should be able to extrapolate "This wasn't the right choice for me, but I don't have the…

You know, my daughter has changed my life in so many wonderful ways and I really couldn't imagine it without her. This has been a wonderful SUPPORTED life change. I do not have to worry about having money to feed, clothe, and shelter her. I am supported in my breastfeeding choice. This has been grande.

Her selling powers are truly on the wane.

There's a Planned Parenthood near my house, and almost every weekend there are protesters outside. I like to flip them off as I drive by... I just hope they can see the child seat in the back of my car.

Here's a simple logical argument: you can't say you want men to be more exposed to childcare and learning how to be nurturing and then also say you don't want boys and young men around kids. You can't have it both ways. Forget the stupid names. Forget the silliness of announcing OMG MALE BABYSITTERS.

I agree, "mitter" is odd. But so is "manny" because nanny isn't REALLY a female word, if you will, either. It's kind of like "nurse," it's all society's perception of the word me thinks.

It's amusing how someone who will quickly point out that a mass murder using guns to shoot up a school or a mall don't represent all gun owners thinks that anyone with a pregnant relative must be pro-life.

Being pregnant made me realize the importance of abortion access even more profoundly than before. Even though all my pregnancies have been welcomed (one was even specifically planned!), it is nevertheless an often uncomfortable, mental and physical takeover. Additionally, being a parent irrevocably changes your life…

interesting. And this lack of systemic support probably contributes greatly to Japan's low birth rate, because, let's face it - in a highly advanced, educated society, where women have access to education and family planning resources, said women won't have children if they can't afford them financially or…

My middle brother used to do babysitting when he was 15-22. It was a little extra cash, kids like him, and he was a fun babysitter. Most of the families he sat for though were single mothers who were looking to add a more male presence in their children's lives. I get why people are cautious, but you should be…

Agree 1000%. Why do men keep trying to appropriate "feminine" things by renaming them?!

Couldn't male baby sitters still be called... you know... baby sitters? I didn't know that was a gender-specific term (or perhaps this is just society trying to differentiate the male and female experience here?).

Mitter

Are they still trying to figure out why women don't want to get married and have children? Because I am guessing this might have something to do with it....

This is very informative, thank you. I was curious because a female Japanese friend of mine told me that she imagines it would be easier to be a mother in Japan than in the US, which was why she planned on returning to her home country if she ever fell pregnant. Now I wonder what factors led her to believe that.

Not super relevant, but I am surprised that Japan is so low.

I believe that there are certain qualities that may be worthy of rape.