Part 5/11:
A recurring theme in the essay—and in her commentary—is Nicola’s negative judgments about single fathers and their lifestyles. She perceives men with children as burdensome or less desirable, citing her discomfort with men who move far away from their children or have high-conflict custody arrangements. Her analysis suggests a lack of empathy or understanding of the reasons behind these choices, which often are driven by work obligations or complex family dynamics.
Far From Eden emphasizes that these judgments are superficial and ignorant of the circumstances many men face. She notes that men typically work to provide for their families and that resenting them for employment commitments or custody arrangements reveals a deeper bias against masculinity and fatherhood.