An opinion piece written by Assistant Professor of Government Peter Cannavo appeared in The Providence Journal on Saturday, Sept. 27, and in the Syracuse Post-Standard on Monday, Sept. 29, titled "Palins redefine paterfamilias" and "Palins shake up gender role debate" respectively.
Cannavo writes "Whatever Sarah Palin's merits as a potential vice president, her candidacy has reopened an important debate on the balance between work and parenthood." He points out that, "The discussion of Sarah Palin needs to focus not on whether she can do it alone but whether, like male candidates for public office, she has a spouse or partner who can effectively shoulder the responsibilities of child care. … the expectation that it is the woman who will assume the main task of parenting inevitably burdens women with a dilemma that men largely avoid and thus puts them at a disadvantage both within the family and in society at large."
In conclusion, Cannavo observes, "If both sides wanted a true discussion about work and parenting, we might combine the issues raised by Palin's candidacy with Obama's call for increased paternal responsibility. That would add yet one more ground-breaking dimension to the 2008 election."
Cannavo writes "Whatever Sarah Palin's merits as a potential vice president, her candidacy has reopened an important debate on the balance between work and parenthood." He points out that, "The discussion of Sarah Palin needs to focus not on whether she can do it alone but whether, like male candidates for public office, she has a spouse or partner who can effectively shoulder the responsibilities of child care. … the expectation that it is the woman who will assume the main task of parenting inevitably burdens women with a dilemma that men largely avoid and thus puts them at a disadvantage both within the family and in society at large."
In conclusion, Cannavo observes, "If both sides wanted a true discussion about work and parenting, we might combine the issues raised by Palin's candidacy with Obama's call for increased paternal responsibility. That would add yet one more ground-breaking dimension to the 2008 election."
