As I stood there, surrounded by a sea of people, I felt a mix of wonder and disbelief. My nearly four-year-old daughter was at the forefront, her voice ringing out with chants of “My body, my choice!” The crowd, perhaps 100 strong, enthusiastically echoed her words, “Her body, her choice!” It was a surreal moment, one where I felt both a participant and a mere bystander, caught up in the whirlwind of my daughter’s infectious energy.
Throughout the day at the Women’s March in Washington, right on the heels of the 2017 inauguration, my daughter became a mini-celebrity. With each chant, she basked in the attention, rallying others around her with a mix of pro-woman slogans and even a few anti-Trump sentiments. While we live in D.C. and support the cause wholeheartedly, I was still taken aback by her eagerness to join in.
The march was a powerful display of solidarity for equality, a stance against misogyny and sexism. Though the event was not solely about protesting the new president, many were doing exactly that, voicing their discontent with his past comments and actions regarding women and minorities. Despite my concerns about exposing my daughter to such a politically charged atmosphere, we felt compelled to bring her along.
I anticipated she’d enjoy the excitement—perhaps dance, cheer, or chant—but I never imagined she would pick up a sign and join the adults in their protest. Yet there she was, fully engaged and even creating her own chants. You might think we were terrible parents for allowing her to participate in something so complex. Is this cultural indoctrination? It certainly raises questions.
Before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify:
- My daughter grabbed the “My Body, My Choice” sign because she wanted to be part of the action; it wasn’t about the message for her initially, just the colorful design.
- As she is learning to read, we took the opportunity to explain the words on the sign.
What came next was unexpected. As she led chants like “Hey hey! Ho ho! That Donald Trump has got to go, hey hey!” I felt a mix of pride and discomfort. Was I becoming the very kind of parent I had criticized in others? The kind that uses their children as props in political spectacles? I grappled with that thought.
But then I realized something crucial: my perspective is shaped by my own privileges. As a white man, I haven’t directly faced the struggles of sexism or racism; my understanding is largely theoretical, gained from my wife, who is biracial, and friends who have shared their experiences. Therefore, my daughter’s innocent participation felt like a misstep, a form of indoctrination. However, upon reflection, I recognized that she wasn’t chanting anything harmful, nor was she bothering anyone—after all, public figures are not exempt from criticism.
Her body is hers, and we’ve instilled that principle in her from a young age. In a society that often excuses male aggression and dismisses women’s rights, it’s essential that she understands the importance of consent. The earlier she recognizes that her body belongs to her alone, the better equipped she’ll be to navigate the world.
This also encompasses broader issues like women’s health care and reproductive rights. My partner and I are pro-choice—not to be confused with pro-abortion, which is a common misconception. While our daughter may not share our beliefs as she grows, she will always know her choices are hers to make.
So no, I’m not ashamed that my daughter became a little activist at the Women’s March, proudly holding her sign. It’s a lesson in empowerment that she will carry with her, and I hope it inspires other parents to teach their kids about autonomy and rights.
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In summary, witnessing my daughter take a stand during the Women’s March was both alarming and enlightening. While I had my reservations, it highlighted the importance of teaching her about her body, her rights, and the power of her voice.