FEMINIST Dads Are the KEY to Raising Emotionally Intelligent Kids! w/ Jordan Shapiro

Parenting in the modern world is a complex endeavor. On a recent episode of the Men’s Therapy Podcast, host Marc Azoulay sat down with Jordan Shapiro. He is a professor at Temple University and author of Father Figure: How to Be a Feminist Dad. Shapiro’s work centers on rethinking traditional gender norms. It focuses on equipping children to navigate an ever-changing world. This conversation provides insightful perspectives for men exploring fatherhood, parenting, and personal growth.

“I grew up in Philadelphia, a city deeply rooted in sports culture and traditional masculinity. I never felt like I fully fit into those norms,” Shapiro recalls. His experience as an outsider in these spaces led him to explore how societal expectations shape boys and men. Shapiro started by focusing on parenting but soon expanded to discussing gender norms. He realized that issues of fatherhood are deeply connected to broader cultural changes. Such as feminism and social justice. This shift led him to explore how these larger movements influence family dynamics.

“If we want to raise kids for a changing world,” Shapiro explains, “we can’t ignore the evolving conversations around gender and equality.” He emphasizes the importance of challenging toxic traits often associated with masculinity. Such as dominance and emotional suppression. These should be challenged while advocating for values like empathy and collaboration.