A few weeks ago, I took my 9-year-old son to catch the latest Ghostbusters film. We settled into the back row of the theater, just the two of us, munching on Sour Patch Kids. He thought it was a special outing just for us, enjoying a funny movie about ghosts.
But I recognize that it means so much more.
Recently, I watched Hillary Clinton make history by accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for president. My boys were asleep by the time she took the stage, but I shared my excitement about her speech with them. They understand that I support her, and they think her candidacy is remarkable simply because she’s the better choice and a counter to Trump.
Yet, there’s even more to consider.
The summer of 2016 may be remembered as one of the most tumultuous and emotional periods in our recent history. It’s hard to turn on the news without feeling overwhelmed with anger or sadness. There are days when it seems like someone has opened a portal to chaos, much like in Ghostbusters, and we’re caught in a whirlwind of negativity. I hear hateful rhetoric and deeply troubling comments about women, and I can’t help but feel we’ve regressed as a society.
But I know there’s more than just the current chaos.
What matters is that our children are growing up in a world where women can be both presidents and ghostbusters. These realities, once thought impossible in my youth, are now becoming the norm for them. My son doesn’t find the women in Ghostbusters funny “for a girl”; he simply thinks they are hilarious. He views Hillary Clinton not as a good candidate “for a woman,” but as the best candidate overall.
During the Democratic National Convention, Hillary said, “If there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say, I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next.” Parents of both daughters and sons across the nation celebrated this moment. It signifies a tremendous shift not only for our daughters but also for our sons.
Recently, my son asked me what would happen if I became president—not his father, but me. I realized he is growing up in a world where such possibilities are real, something I could only dream of as a child. While my generation debates the merits of the new Ghostbusters compared to the original, my sons are learning that these representations are simply part of their reality. It’s vital for us to show not only our daughters what empowerment looks like but also our sons what equality means.
Despite the progress we’ve made, we still face lingering issues of racism and misogyny. This is evident in the discussions I’ve had with friends about whether the new Ghostbusters can compare to the original, the unjust attacks on Leslie Jones, and the way Hillary Clinton is critiqued for her attire and expressions. However, as our children grow up seeing female empowerment and equality as the standard, I hold onto hope that their generation will be free from the prejudices that have plagued previous ones.
My sons will thrive in a world where women are valued without the “for a girl” stipulation. They won’t be confined to the roles of protector or provider simply because they’re male. They will witness women taking charge, excelling, and breaking barriers. They’re growing up in a world where glass ceilings are being shattered, and they can feel the impact.
While there’s still much work to do and many more ceilings to break, I remind myself that there’s more to our current situation than it may appear. There’s a transformation and a breaking down of outdated expectations happening. Change often requires discomfort, and we can’t reshape society’s views on humanity—especially for women and minorities—without facing difficult conversations.
Our children are growing up in a world where they can see women in power. They witness women leading, conquering challenges, and making history. They’re living in a time where being a ghostbuster and a president are not just dreams but attainable realities.
Even when the world feels heavy, there’s so much more to it.
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In summary, the cultural shifts represented by figures like Hillary Clinton and films like Ghostbusters signify a future where gender equality is the norm. Our children are being raised in an environment that embraces these changes, fostering a new generation that views women as equals in all aspects of life.