In the realm of parenting, it’s 2023, yet sexist nonsense on clothing is still running rampant. Enter our hero, writer and dad, Ben Carter. When he stumbled upon shirts promoting outdated stereotypes like, “Shoot the first one and the word will spread,” he didn’t just shake his head in disbelief. Instead, he took action and launched his own line of shirts that celebrate progressive fatherhood and feminism, aptly named Everyday Girl Dad. Get ready to empty your wallet because you’re going to want to snag these for every dad you know.
Ben tells Home Insemination Kit that his relationship with his daughters, 7-year-old Ella and 5-year-old Mia, is far from cliché. “I don’t think the traditional dad vs. dates trope reflects my connection with my girls at all,” he shares. “I see them as strong individuals who inspire me daily. I want my shirts to send the message that men can look up to women just as much.”
The shirts don’t imply that dads who wear them are any less protective of their daughters. “Just because I wear these shirts doesn’t mean I don’t care about my daughters’ futures,” Ben emphasizes. “It simply means I plan to nurture our relationship in a way that doesn’t involve threats or aggression.” He believes in respecting his daughters’ autonomy rather than treating them like possessions. His shirts effectively convey which parenting philosophy you align with.
Beyond empowering girls and women, Ben hopes his designs encourage men and boys to reconsider traditional gender roles. “I’m acutely aware of the obstacles girls face, but I also recognize the rigid molds we force boys into. Masculinity can be fluid—it can involve crying, wearing dresses, or painting nails, just as much as it can include traditional sports,” he explains.
Not just quirky fashion statements, Ben hopes that once he covers his operating costs, he can donate profits to organizations that promote healthier views of masculinity or support victims of sexual assault. “I’m not a fundraising guru or a clothing expert, but I hope to contribute in some way,” he adds.
One shirt in particular always draws reactions: “The Dad Who Cries When Bing Bong Dies” has struck a chord with many, considering the emotional rollercoaster that is Inside Out.
Ben aims to inspire fellow dads to redefine masculinity and engage with their daughters in diverse ways. “Share stories of science experiments, reading books together, jumping into leaf piles, or staying up late talking. It’s these moments that redefine what it means to be a man.”
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In summary, Ben Carter’s Everyday Girl Dad shirts are redefining fatherhood stereotypes, encouraging a supportive and nurturing approach to raising daughters while challenging traditional masculinity norms.