Da Damene Dro

When the Ladies Left

There is a show on Norwegian television with that title. I have to say that I was a little surprised, although the ad makes me laugh every time.

Little boy jumping on the bed bonks his chin on the shelf and begins to wail. Dad looks on helplessly, while the song "Highway to Hell" plays in the background.

I was surprised, because this is a country pre-occupied with sexual equality. This is a show about men being left to their own devices with the house and kids, while the women head for vacation. The presumption being that all hell breaks loose when men have to take care of their homes and children when the women aren't around.

Something doesn't quite fit. I mean, a show about the men leaving the workplace would never fly.

When the Boys Bail
Women in a staff meeting. One begins to cry. All the women gather round, clucking and asking what's wrong. "I'm so sorry," she whispers. "It's my period." The women nod knowingly -- one cannot function under the hormonal onslaught of a period -- and start discussing their feelings. Meanwhile, another women glares at the others from the corner and mutters, "Bitches," under her breath. She is the bitter Office Harpy around whom all of the drama will center. Playing in the background is, "Man! I feel like a woman!"

Yeah. Good luck with that. In the year 2009, should men being hopeless caretakers of their children REALLY provide entertainment value? Isn't the "right" answer to the question, "What happens when men take care of their own lives with no women around for a few days," that they will be just fine?

Wait! What was that? A gasp heard round the world as women exclaimed, "Are you freakin' kidding me?! Do you KNOW what happened last time my husband was alone with the children? Let me tell you. . ."

Yes. Yes. I know. All women have these stories. I have many a few um, one (?) of my own. I'm just sayin'.

Personally, when something goes horribly wrong and I'm not around, I prefer the much more egalitarian attitude, "Better you than me."