Are you having a hard time balancing work and family? Join the club. Do you wonder what is expected of you as a dad in 2015? You are not alone. How do you share parenting responsibilities with a parent whose style is so different from yours? It’s not always easy, but fathering and mothering can – and should – complement each other.
Leading parenting experts and dads of all stripes tackle these questions and more at 92nd Street Y’s third annual Parenting Conference, “Why Fathers Matter,” on Sunday, January 25, from10 a.m. to 3 pm. Tickets to the day-long conference at 92Y in New York are $99; the conference talks are available via livecast to dads everywhere at www.92Y.org/livecast.
The experts are, among others: Michael Thompson, author of The New York Times best-selling book, Raising Cain: The Emotional Lives of Boys; Paul Raeburn, author of the book Do Fathers Matter? What Science Is Telling Us About the Parent We’ve Overlooked; Michael Kimmel, renowned sociologist and author of the book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men; Neil Blumenthal, Warby Parker co-founder (and working dad); and Matt Schneider, at-home dad, and co-founder of NYC Dads Group, a community of active dads in New York City.
The conference kicks off with a keynote address by Michael Thompson, Moving Past Your Own Father, and includes a panel on parenting partnerships, featuring an at-home dad/working mom; a same-sex couple; and a working dad/at-home mom.
Sally Tannen, director of 92Y’s Parenting Center, sees the conference as a unique opportunity for dads. “Historically, mothers have received the lion’s share of support from the community, but this new generation of fathers is a highly involved one,” says Tannen. She continues, “They just haven’t had many ways to connect with other fathers, or easy access to parenting expertise. We really want dads to make connections with each other here at 92Y– after all, male bonding doesn’t have to stop once you have kids.”
Conference Schedule
Sunday, January 25
10 am – 3 pm, $99
Talks available via livecast at www.92y.org/livecast
Welcoming remarks from two parenting experts: Sally Tannen, Director of 92Y’s ParentingCenter; Lance Somerfeld, co-founder of City Dads Group
• Moving Past Your Own Father — Michael Thompson, Psychologist, Author and Speaker
• Juggling Dads: Finding Time for Work, Family and Play – With Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and co-CEO, Warby Parker; Dr. Stew Friedman, Wharton School of Business; Simon Isaacs, founder, GATHER and co-founder, Fatherly
• The Science of Fatherhood: How the Research is Changing the Conversation – With Paul Raeburn, author, Do Fathers Matter?; Dr. Michael Kimmel, author and renowned sociologist; and Michael Thompson.
• Pursuing a Parenting Partnership – featuring parent-partners of varied backgrounds: Kipp Jarecke-Cheng and Mark Jarecke; Rob & Carolyn Candelino; and Matt Schneider and Priyanka Schneider. Eric Messinger, editor,New York Family, moderates.
Dove Men+Care is a supporting sponsor of 92Y’s Parenting Conference. Dove Men+Care is committed to celebrating and authentically portraying real men and dads. In 2014, the brand conducted research that uncovered that three quarters of dads say they are responsible for their child’s emotional well-being, while only 20% of dads see this role reflected in media. Dove Men+Care is proud to join the 92nd Street Y in a conversation about how men prioritize fatherhood and are embracing their caring roles.