An Inclusive Litany

4/22/96

A memo from Marie Wilson, president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, March 19, 1996. Responding to criticism that "Take Our Daughters to Work Day" doesn't include boys, Ms. proposed a separate "Son's Day," to be held on October 20, which is ideal since, the memo says, "October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so there will be lots of activities scheduled." Here Ms. Wilson lists various ways to celebrate the holiday, which incidentally falls on a weekend:

  • Take your son—or 'son for a day'—to an event that focuses on ... ending men's violence against women. Call the Family Violence Prevention Fund at 800-END-ABUSE for information.

  • Plan a game or sport in which the contest specifically does not keep score or declare a winner. Invite the community to watch and celebrate boys playing on teams for the sheer fun of playing.

  • Since Son's Day is on SUNDAY, make sure your son is involved in preparing the family for the work and school week ahead. This means: helping lay out clothes for siblings [and] making lunches.
Ms. had already developed an "especially for boys" worksheet, to fill boys' time at school while the girls visit their parents' workplaces, in which boys are asked to "brainstorm" and to question the "male stereotypes" that "box them in," such as, "a 'real man' doesn't do laundry."