Quick post. I love Alltop.com – I find it incredibly useful to get to top blogs in an organized fashion. And as a user of blogs in two languages, professionally and personally – I think Alltop.com is a tremendous time saver and a very usable resource.
My issue
I enjoy reading the DAD blogs – referenced under http://dads.Alltop.com. I also access the MOM blogs – referenced under http://moms.Alltop.com.
Logical, right?
But when you get to the DADS page – here’s what you see – the reference is to All the top news about Dads.
When you get to the MOMS page, you see this – All the top Mommy news.
My concern
I’d be thrilled to be a “top mom blog” some day. So I was browsing the section, and noticed the discrepancy in positioning – “Dads” (appropriate for parenting any age child), versus “Mommy news” – which struck me as reminiscent of the 80s and 90s (derogatory) “Mommy Track” not to mention representative of a much smaller group of mothers.
When you look at the blogs listed, most are MOM blogs, not “mommy” blogs.
I contacted ALLTOP asking about this, and received one line back, as follows:
The community identifies itself as Mommy Bloggers. Thanks.
MAY WE TWEET or EMAIL FOR ACTION?
I’d like to think that all those bloggers in the “moms” section think of themselves as a whole lot more than “Mommy Bloggers.” I know I do. I know from reading many funny, poignant, helpful, soulful, and intelligent blogs from mothers of children at all stages that I wouldn’t assume “the community identifies itself as Mommy bloggers.”
I’m not a “mommy blogger.” Are you?
I’m a single working mother, a professional, a counselor to my teens, a teacher to my teens, a friend, a dater, a member of the marketing community, the writing community, the arts community.
A rose by any other name? Much ado about nothing?
Words matter. We aren’t “Mommy bloggers.” Like the Dads – we’re adults with things to say about parenting, and more.
If you agree – please contact ALLTOP. I think they’re great. I hope they’ll listen.
I got here too late to help with this project so all I can do is say congratulations and good work. It was pretty offensive. The new way is much better.