Men are fathers too!

Yesterday I was one of the keynote speakers at JUMP Forum, a great event that puts gender balance on the agenda every year, and raises the key questions time and again.

This kind of event always gives me a great buzz and energy boost: lots of brainwaves, interesting people, discussions, time for sharing experiences and getting new insights.

What struck me this time was a remark by Isabella Lenarduzzi, founder of Jump, at the end of the day. She had been interviewed by several female journalists, and all had asked her the same question: how do women combine their careers with their family life?

I almost fell of my chair (and it wouldn't have been e pleasant sight sitting on that stage)!
Firstly because women still get this question in 2011.
Secondly because the question is asked at an event like that.
Thirdly because it came from young female journalists.

It would be really interesting to put some thought and study into how men & women in media companies work, and how they think about gender balance. Journalists are no longer the gatekeepers, but they do have influence by framing topics in a specific context and setting the tone, the narrative.

Let's stop acting as if women are the only ones who are responsible / caring for their children. Confining the "family" component to women only is just wrong.

I expect young (and other) fathers to step into this discussion, and demand that next time, they too are asked about how they combine work and family life, and that they too are recognized as playing a crucial role in the upbringing of their kids.