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What Hillary Clinton and ‘Ghostbusters’ Represent for My Sons
A few weeks ago, I took my 9-year-old son, Jake, to see Ghostbusters. We settled into the back row of the theater, just the two of us, munching on Sour Patch Kids. To him, it was a chance for some quality time while watching a hilarious movie about ghosts.
But I understood there was more significance behind our outing.
Recently, I watched Hillary Clinton accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for president of the United States. By the time she took the stage, my kids were already asleep, but I shared my excitement with them earlier. They know I support her candidacy, and they see her as the better choice—not just in comparison to Trump, but for what she represents.
Yet, there’s a deeper layer to this.
The summer of 2016 may be remembered as one of the most chaotic and emotional times in recent years. It’s challenging to turn on the news without feeling overwhelmed with sadness or anger. Some days, it feels like someone has opened a portal to chaos, similar to the Ghostbusters scenario, and we’re caught in a storm of negativity. I hear discussions about building walls and see vile, misogynistic comments, leading me to believe we’ve regressed as a society.
But there’s more beyond these troubling moments.
The truth is, my children are growing up in a world where women can pursue the presidency and battle ghosts. These realities—once considered far-fetched—are now part of their everyday lives. Jake doesn’t view the female Ghostbusters as funny “for a girl”; he simply finds them hilarious. Likewise, he doesn’t see Hillary Clinton as a good candidate “for a woman”; he recognizes her as the best candidate, period.
During the Democratic National Convention, Clinton addressed young girls watching late at night, saying, “I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next.” This statement resonated with parents across the nation, not just those of little girls, but also of little boys. This shift is monumental not only for our daughters but for our sons too.
Just the other night, Jake asked me what it would be like if I were president—not my husband, but me. This struck me as a reflection of a reality I could only dream of as a child. While my generation debates whether the new Ghostbusters is as funny as the original and celebrates a female presidential candidate, my sons are growing up in a world where these achievements are common.
In order to empower our daughters, we must also demonstrate equality to our sons. Though we’ve made significant progress, persistent racism and sexism still linger. This is evident in conversations with supposedly progressive peers questioning the humor of the new Ghostbusters, the hateful backlash against Leslie Jones, and the criticisms of Hillary Clinton based on her attire and expressions.
Yet, as our children—both daughters and sons—mature in an environment where female empowerment and equality are the norms, I remain hopeful that their generation will shed the prejudices that have affected mine.
My sons will thrive in a world where women are valued without the “for a girl” label. They will not be constrained by traditional gender roles as “protectors” or “providers.” Instead, they will witness women excelling in leadership and taking charge. They are growing up in a time where glass ceilings are breaking, and they’ll feel the impact of that change.
Of course, there’s still much work to be done. Gender inequality and sexism persist, and more ceilings remain to be shattered. While it often seems like the world is spiraling downward—especially with a certain individual often described as a “walking Cheeto” contributing to the chaos—I remind myself that there’s more to the story.
We are witnessing a transformation of expectations and an expansion of possibilities. Change requires discomfort and challenging conversations; we cannot redefine what it means to coexist—especially as women and minorities—without addressing the hard truths.
Our children are being raised in a world where they observe women in leadership roles. They see women taking charge and making a difference. They see women who can both bust ghosts and lead the nation. These possibilities are becoming their realities.
So, despite the challenges, there is so much more to appreciate.
In conclusion, it is vital that we continue to foster these discussions and encourage our children to embrace a world filled with equality and opportunity. For more resources on home insemination and to explore your options, you can visit this link. If you are looking for quality insemination kits, check out this page. Another excellent resource for pregnancy and fertility information can be found at Cleveland Clinic’s podcast.