Sometimes when I have to tinker or do some messy work, I put on one of my father’s old work shirts. It’s roomy, it breathes and is sturdy and, just like my father did, it protects me. Of course he has been gone for a long time, but I keep it as a memento. I wonder what he would think about how some fathers’ daughters are being treated during this political campaign.
Sometimes it seems Donald Trump forgets that he has a daughter. I would be remiss to not mention his marriages as well, but it is about fathers I’m talking. So here is Mr. Trump, a father, discussing prowess with somebody while a live microphone picks up on it. He probably forgot the first rule of being a celebrity: live your life as if there is a live mic nearby. Otherwise why would he say something his own daughter might hear?
The influence of the opposite sex parent on a child is one of the most pivotal in the developmental years. As children we idolize our parents, then we reach the pivotal point at which we discover their true good points and flaws and we start to branch out and become who we will be in adult life. We also develop our own good points and flaws, but we should all try to nurture the former and hold back on the latter. We forget at times, and Trump’s banter with Billy Bush of Access Hollywood is certainly proof of how extremely vulgar one can get when dropping the filter we’re supposed to take on as grownups.
He made references to a woman’s recent breast enhancements. Isn’t it strange that men seem to like to see large-chested women, but condemn them in the same breath. This type of genderist hypocrisy (yes, I just invented that word) is what ruins both genders at the same time. We are dependent upon each other for the survival of the human race, yet we are always at odds just because of a few chromosomes and body parts which differentiate us. Trump apparently thought it was okay to also talk about grabbing women in private areas. I can’t recall once in my lifetime talking about a man like that around other women.
Back to the shirt. It’s a pedestrian plaid that I’m sure many men wear at some time in their lives. When I wear it, I remember the values my father taught me. I think about his good points and forgive his flaws, and I remember that I will always be his daughter.
I think it would be a great idea if every daughter out there broke out one of their father’s shirts and put it on. Take a selfie. Post to Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag DadShirt. Show that we hold them to task to be good human beings first and men second. Let’s remember that fathers have a responsibility to protect their daughters, and it starts with keeping that filter tightly over our slipping lips in the locker room and everyplace else.
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