As I attend conferences and lead workshops around the country, I often have people say, "Jeff, this is all great, but what can we be doing for our sons now to give them more awareness of these issues?" This is a great question and one that we should thoughtfully address.

The article 10 Ways to Raise Your Son to be an Advocate for Gender Equality discusses some practical ways that parents can raise awareness in their sons from an early age. No. 8 is at the heart of the work I do around male engagement. It can look as simple in the corporate world as a man taking notice when a woman is being talked over or interrupted and saying, "I'd like to hear what she has to say. Please let her finish her thought."

While it's been many years since my kids went to work with me as part of "Bring Your Kids Work Day," which celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, I can't help but think about my grandchildren and the conversations their parents will have with them about gender equality. Dads (and moms!) are invited to show your daughters that you are their advocates by signing a YWomen commitment pledge and posting it in your office. Take a picture of you with your daughter and post it on our Father of Daughter Facebook page! We want to celebrate you.
 
At your next staff meeting, read the article and answer the below questions to get the conversation going!  
 

Jeffery 

P.S.: A big shout out to my colleague, Erica Rountree, who spoke to a group of 4th and 5th grade girls at High Meadows School last week about their exhibition project, which will address gender equality and promote opportunities for women to lead at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.