| Single dad here. Not just some guy who isn't married and had kids. I've had custody for the better part of the last 15 years. During my time as a single dad, I began my career in in programming. I started working for others. I now work for myself. In that time ... - Zero female superiors have asked me on a date. - Zero female coworkers have asked me on a date. - Zero female coworkers have commented on or complimented my appearance--I'm no Brad Pitt, mind you, but I also don't look like someone took a hatchet to a picket fence. The closest I've gotten to a female commenting on my appearance is someone saying she thought I looked a little like Mark Wahlberg. - Zero comments have ever been made when I've shown up late due to something kid-related (like school being delayed and dropping them off at school 2 hours later than normal). - Zero comments have ever been made when I leave earlier than everyone else for something kid-related (like picking them up from school). - Zero comments have ever been made when I've missed entire days due to something kid-related (like a kid being sick, or a school holiday (which I've always taken as work-from-home days so I could be with them)). - Zero comments have ever been made when I've taken a break mid-day to attend a school function. I do the function, come back asap, and get back to work without a hiccup. - I've never been asked if or how kids (or being a single parent) might impact my work. - I demand a higher salary explicitly because I have kids to support, want to provide them a good life, and I have never had that questioned. - I have never once been asked to compromise when I say I cannot do something because it conflicts with my parenting, my kids' activities, or something I've planned to do with them. When I say I have something to do with my kids, that ends the conversation, because I do not have a partner who can do these things and they know this. - I have never once had a client question if my kids will get in the way of 6-figure contracts. - I have never once had a client complain or ask me to compromise when I decline to do something or cannot get to something because it interferes with my kids or parenting. - I've never been denied a raise when I've asked for it, despite the fact that I openly do not compromise my time with my kids. - I have never been denied a promotion when I've sought after them, despite the fact that I openly do not compromise my time with my kids. I could continue to dig deeper if you'd like. |