I absolutely agree that fewer marriages would end in divorce if couples were actively encouraged to have open discussions about roles and responsibilities up front. That discussion would have to be had again before having children, as most women (myself included) who once felt just fine about the distribution of labor found that everything changed once kids were introduced to the mix. But there are two big problems. One is that most couples don't even know to do this. While many jobs require licenses, certificates, degrees, etc there is no equivalent for marriage or children. And the other is that when you ask couples to privately undo years of socialization with very little to no guidance, it's simply a big ask.

As for your assertion that feminism is simply a quest for power and status, the argument is eerily reminiscent of the arguments so many white people in the United States make when they feel that Black people are "taking" their child's spot in college or their own spot in, say, the fire department. (Trust me, my Black husband has heard them all.) Empowerment and power are two VERY different things, and bringing women (and/or people of color) into the fold does not have to detract from anyone else's right to empowerment. That's not even to mention that women make up 14% of active duty armed forces in the United States, which entails taking on a very difficult job *in addition* to dealing with sexual harassment and gender discrimination. And a somewhat tangential, but important, point -- if boys weren't socialized to glorify war, would so many have to serve in the armed forces? Would we have less loss of life and less mental illness in our society? This story is about empowering our boys as well as our girls. Yes, there are less glamorous jobs that have historically been done by men, and less glamorous jobs that have historically been done by women. If we can share the load and offer the world our natural talents/strengths, I truly think we would be better off.