Andrew Dwyer has done what so many of us swore we'd do. He's suing Lord & Taylor for diaper discrimination.
Mr. Dwyer, full-time father to 15-month-old John William, got fed up when trying to change his son's diaper on the wet counter of the men's room at Lord & Taylor's Fifth Ave., New York, store. He says in his suit that Lord & Taylor's policy of equipping only its ladies rooms with changing tables amounts to gender bias, and violates city and state laws barring discrimination in public accomodations.
Dwyer is seeking $1,500 in damages and $10,000 in punitive damages. He hopes that his action will lead to a court order forcing Lord & Taylor to provide changing tables in the men's rooms.
(From an article in the December 24 New York Daily News. Thanks to James F.X. McLoughlin for the clipping.)
Women, look out! Your exclusive claim on child-bearing is being challenged. A fellow named Mark Maracani had a fertilized egg from his wife implanted into his "surgically altered abdomen," according to the January 10 issue of The Sun.
The baby was born, via Cesarean (thank goodness!), in Milan, Italy, working with a Doctor Canzarro, who has been doing experiments of this nature on various small animals. According to the article, Mark's wife, Sharon, "catered to her man's every desire," and said, "It's one small step for man, one giant leap for womankind!" She is very happy to have a new baby, and without losing her figure.
This seems to be happening more and more (see FTD # 9). Does child-bearing herald a new definition of "fatherhood?" Those of us who say, "If I could, I would," to our pregnant wives may get the chance one of these days. Or could it be that The Sun is pulling our leg?
There's a new parenting magazine on the scene, aimed directly at single parents. Single-Parent Family is produced by Focus On The Family, a Christian publishing and broadcasting company from Colorado. Focus On The Family is heavily invested in parenting, putting out a magazine titled Focus On The Family, along with several magazines for kids of various ages, and a lot of books and other resources.
Single-Parent Family is a positive, upbeat magazine with a Christian outlook. Their premier issue includes a column called Dads In Charge, offering a lighthearted look at the life of a single, custodial father, along with some great advice. Perhaps because of the lack of such material anywhere else, Dads In Charge will appeal to any father who is seeking some common-sense help from an experta father.
While some may find the Christian bias a bit of a turnoff, Single-Parent Family is a strong, enthusiastic and pioneering entry into a too-long neglected market. It is ironic that a publication championing the single-parent family would come out of a fundamentalist Christian ministry. Perhaps the rest of us can learn a lesson in tolerance and acceptance here. All single parents, even those who do not consider themselves active Christians, will find a lot of encouragement and support in Single-Parent Family, and it is recommended reading.
To order, ($12 for a one year subscription), or for more information, write to Focus On The Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995.