We think of ourselves as the “shift” generation: men and women in the midst of a major shift in roles and expectations. We call it a Role/Reboot.

In the 1960s, consciousness-raising groups were formed to bring women together so they could discuss their lives with each other, without men present. Through these small groups, many women at the time began to understand that the problems and challenges in their lives weren’t particular to just them—they resulted from a more systematic oppression affecting many women. Recognizing the patterns and acknowledging the problem was half the battle. And it all started with discussions that caused a small shift in consciousness.

Fast forward more than four decades. Like us, you may feel you’re in the middle of a huge “shift” as well. 

Women in their 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s today are the first group for whom it is the rule—not the exception—that both sexes will work, raise the children, and share tasks that were traditionally aligned along gender lines. Men and women are marrying later. We’re having babies later. More of us than ever are choosing never to marry. Some of us still can't legally marry the one we love. Many of us are having babies and living with partners without being married. Roughly 71% of women with children under 18 are working outside the home.

We know now more than ever that men are a critical part of this shift, and that we can’t talk about how women’s roles are changing without addressing men’s as well. Most of the issues we care about are no longer women’s issues—they’re gender issues. 

Definitions of womanhood and manhood are breaking down, along with all the expectations and baggage that come with them. And for that, we’re thrilled. But we often feel like the country hasn’t really caught up—or worse, is again entering a period of woeful feminist backlash—and the realities of our lives aren’t well reflected in the media or the policy arena. Society is still so conflicted about women and men’s roles, and often we are too—both personally, and within our relationships. It’s a confusing moment, and we want to talk about it. 

There are many wonderful women’s-issues sites devoted to motherhood, professional advancement and work/life balance, reproductive health, and much more. There is an impressive feminist blogosphere. There is a small but growing corner of the blogosphere focused on issues of new masculinity, engaged fathers, and stay-at-home dads. But there is no other site that uses a gender lens to explore the roles we all play and the expectations foisted upon us in our daily lives.

We think of ourselves as the “shift” generation—men and women in the midst of a major shift in roles and expectations. We call it a Role/Reboot.