Recently with the news (Epstein, R*ape Academy, the manosphere) and the general disillusionment of having a child in a heterosexual marriage with a man (default parent, the invisible mental and emotional labour, having to fight for a fair division of labour, parenting my own partner etc) I've been feeling so utterly heartbroken and disappointed.
BUT I have a son. The most beautiful, kind and loving 4 year old boy. In 8 short years the manosphere will come for him. How do I, one woman, stand between him and the patriarchy?
My husband is the most progressive man (not a feminist by any means but at least a reasonable man.) in our family so there will be no grandfather, uncle or cousin to modal healthy masculinity, they range from benevolent dictator (grandad) to incel vibes (uncle) so no hope there. Maybe I should somehow get more healthy men ito our lives? How? I don't want to divorce my husband.
I try to challenge gender stereotypes with my son. Try to help him express his feelings etc, but will it even make a difference? It feels like an unstoppable tide
Please help. How are we staying positive? How are we helping our kids? I am a very anxious person and maybe it's extreme (or maybe not as we see there are thousands of them hiding in plain sight) but what if my boy becomes a r*pist one day?!