Fatherhood ebook available for download now
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Project Purpose
This Fatherhood project began over four years ago, during which time it has grown into a very moving personal assignment. At the outset, I thought I’d post an ad on craigslist.org looking for fathers playing active roles in their children’s lives. However, I soon learned that these Dads were all around me – fathers of my kids’ friends, friends of mine, people I work with, the head of my kid’s parent teacher organization, coaches, grandfathers at the park.
When I first became a father, I thought a lot about what society expects of Dads – How intimate are we supposed to be with our children? How much time do we spend away from the home? How are the parenting roles in the family played out? Growing up, we always saw examples in the media of how Dads were clueless – they didn’t understand kids, they couldn’t cook, they always messed up the house, never cleaned it. These days family life has changed – it’s not as easy for one parent to stay home while the other works. New schedules have brought new responsibilities.
And fathers are doing it. I asked one Dad I was shooting what he did with his kids: “Pretty much everything. My wife is a firefighter and when she is at work for 24 hours at a time, I need to be the one to make the dinner, give the kids a bath, get them off to school … and then go to work and run my business.” He said this with such ease, without any hesitation or regret.
It’s that feeling that I want to depict with this project – the simple ease at which many fathers today are just doing what they need to do – contrary to the mold that they grew in. My goal is not so much to prove to women what men are capable of, but more to show fathers what fathers are capable of … so they don’t miss it.
A young father once told me it was six months before he tried to take his young baby for a walk by himself. He didn’t think he was capable of being alone with her.
Gloria Steinem’s words have been an inspiration to me in this project – “When fathers begin taking an equal role in the raising of children, the world will truly be changed.” I’ve been honored to have Ms. Steinem write a piece for inclusion in the project.
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this work is amazing. incredible to see this expressed so beautifully, emotionally, and honestly.
the subject on its own is powerful enough to move emotionally; the iconography goes a step further …
well done!
I love it
The tag I often get hit with is “Mr. Mom”, I don’t take offense to it, but when someone asks “Are you Mr. Mom?” I just tell them “No, I am their father.”
Keep up the good work.
When this collateral piece hit my desk (last Fall I think?), the images connected with me like few others have (and being in an agency, I see A TON of them!) It is the ONLY piece I have on my desk now; a reminder that someone else out there ‘gets it’– what its like to be to take care of and connect with and be inspired by our kids as a single dad, or as any other kind of dad. I have 3 little girls who I take everywhere and do everything with; I used to hate hearing, “Oh is it Mommmy’s day off?” for all sorts of reasons. I hear that much less now thankfully; I like to think its because maybe I look as comfortable with my girls (to the outside) as I have always been with them on the inside. A long-winded way of saying THANKS for your series; I’ll be back for more (and if you ever need another ‘subject’, I know this guy with 3 daughters….) Cheers.
Love it, Fathers are of tantamount importance!
How about depicting the Fathers that stick it out through the worst in some positive way?
http://www.supportthemovie.com
…and let’s not forget Fathers of daughters… http://www.dadsanddaughters.org
I felt compelled to share. Your photo work on Fathers is much appreciated.
very interesting. i’m adding in RSS Reader
Robert, this is incredible! I love the book, and the way you’ve laid it out to view in the browser with Flash. It’s beautiful and I absolutely love the purpose! I have so many friends having babies, including my brother, who would really enjoy this book. Please keep me posted!
Also, if you haven’t seen my redesigned site & shop, please take a look! I’ve finally launched my own line of products with my illustrations on them, including a baby & toddler line:
http://shop.willotoons.com/collections/baby
All the best to you!
xo
w
Robert,
These pictures rock! Love what you are doing here. Thanks for putting yourself on my mailing list. Now please put me on yours! These are powerful pictures and words. I look forward to the book.
Dana Glazer
Director
The Evolution of Dad Project
http://www.evolutionofdad.com
Thank you a million times over for these pictures and these quotes. I identify with so many of them and am very thankful someone has put into words and images my experiences as a father. I hope the book comes out soon.
I appreciate the idea you have and support it 100%. It is hard to explain the feeling of being a father, there is nothing like it, it is also frustrating when you encounter individuals who do not treasure this amazing gift.