The Netherlands is known for being liberal. So why is that the
publicly-run playgroups, designed for toddlers and preschoolers,
explicitly exclude fathers and other male caregivers? According to
Dutch mama Ingrid Robeyns, it's to accomodate mothers whose cultural practices preclude them from participating in mixed-gender social groups. Robeyns admits that there may be reasons to support such a policy, even as it comes at the expense of men.
I
was once involved in a playgroup in another place known for its
liberality--San Francisco. Originally comprised of stay-at-home moms
and mothers on maternity leave, our group was soon faced with the
inevitable: someone invited a stay-at-home dad to join us with his
child.
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