Super topic. I've often thought it would make a great subject for a book. Maybe someday I'll write one.
But, my answer is no. No, No, Hell No!
I was born in the early 1950's. My dad was a tough, blue collar, hard (very hard!) drinking WWII veteran who mostly just despised me for being too small, too smart, and too nice. (Yes, looking back, although my family never knew of my CD'ing, I can see that he and most everyone could see through my facade. Even a bit of of femininity on a boy shows. I was different, and in the worst way possible.)
Although I ended up going to war, then to college, into a good professional job, and also supported my parents to a great degree, in my father's eyes I never equaled my brothers (who did none of the above, but were "real" men).
Now, a decade after he died, I've put it all into perspective and maybe have accepted his good and bad. But mostly I don't care. I avoid men who are like him, and I have never treated my son in the manner I was treated.
Cindi Johnson
