Men at baby Showers?

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Good afternoon, Ladies! I'm new to this website, and this forum, so bear with me here. I had a question on some more traditional things that don't exactly have any backing in scripture, and it concerns the tradition of baby showers. When did they start? It doesn't seem to be mentioned in the Bible, so I'm curious as to when they began and why?

Also, I've always wondered why men aren't allowed at baby showers, especially not the father of the child? I mean, I understand why if the party is all pink and frilly and they're doing silly games with diapers and ice cubes (don't ask, I've seen some strange things from my aunts' showers and I still don't get it). But what if a couple just wanted to have a simple, not froo-froo dinner that the church could enjoy together in celebration of their baby? I can't seem to find any biblical scripture against this, and it is the father's baby too, and nowadays more than ever with the feminist movements it seems like fathers are just thrown to the side and considered as having no other purpose than being pack mules. So I don't see why a couple couldn't be allowed to celebrate their baby together.

But I'd love to hear your opinions on this, and I'm certainly open to what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[JonC]

"Allowed"? That is not the word I would use.

 

[Deacon]

Pardon me for breaking into the women’s forum but let me speak for men in general, many thanks for not inviting us to the baby shower.

Grump-pa Rob

 

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Hi! Thanks for replying. Could I ask you to elaborate, please? At all the showers held at my church, men weren't welcome, and the pastor even said this. I don't know, it seems like this sort of unwritten rule. But if you could explain that'd be great! Thanks!

Edit: Hey Gump-pa Rob. Thanks for replying, too! Like I said, I completely understand why guys wouldn't go to the frilly, girly and silly parties that are per-the-norm. Frankly, those kind of parties make me uncomfortable, and I'm a lady! I was talking something more sensible, like just a potluck without the decorations and weird games. Would that still be okay or no?

 

[Deacon]

My wife had a baby shower for a friend, a first time mother from Korea.
Both she and her husband were unfamiliar with the practice of having a baby shower. He was the lone male representative at the shower and had a good time.

The cost of a first baby is big. A shower helps the young couple get a running start on their baby’s necessities.

It’s not that men aren’t allowed but that a gaggle of women talking baby stuff is more than we want to bear.

Rob

 

[NoQuieroUnQueso]

Oh wow, so I guess baby showers aren't a global thing, then. Like I said, I've always been curious as to how and when that got started. A practice like that was never mentioned in the bible, or at least I don't think, so it makes me wonder. I mean, there had to be some lady who started that, right? I wonder how the first shower was seen, like was it fun or did people call the lady out for making up this new kind of party? Well, it took off in western countries, so I guess it was okay.

And yeah, I completely get not wanting to deal with a 'gaggle' of women (Nice phrasing, btw!), even I have found myself unwilling to chit-chat within a gaggle. And baby showers do seem to be the epitome of silliness sometimes. I completely understand gifts to help a couple with a new baby out, and wise advice is certainly welcome, but a lot of showers I went to were just over the top weird.

There was this one time when I was about 10, and at an aunt's shower, and they had this game where people had to guess what baby food had been smeared into various diapers. All the women were giggling and having fun, but ten-year-old me was just grossed out and wondering what the point was to all of it.

I COMPLETELY understand why guys wouldn't want to endure that, believe me! I only wish I had been spared of the embarrassment myself.

 

[Deacon]

My wife's game was similar only she uses various candy bars and makes the women guess what the candy bar was... nuts, rice, melted chocolate and caramel, ...hard to tell a fake dirty diaper from the real thing.

Rob

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Oh wow, so I guess baby showers aren't a global thing, then. Like I said, I've always been curious as to how and when that got started. A practice like that was never mentioned in the bible, or at least I don't think, so it makes me wonder. I mean, there had to be some lady who started that, right? I wonder how the first shower was seen, like was it fun or did people call the lady out for making up this new kind of party? Well, it took off in western countries, so I guess it was okay.

And yeah, I completely get not wanting to deal with a 'gaggle' of women (Nice phrasing, btw!), even I have found myself unwilling to chit-chat within a gaggle. And baby showers do seem to be the epitome of silliness sometimes. I completely understand gifts to help a couple with a new baby out, and wise advice is certainly welcome, but a lot of showers I went to were just over the top weird.

There was this one time when I was about 10, and at an aunt's shower, and they had this game where people had to guess what baby food had been smeared into various diapers. All the women were giggling and having fun, but ten-year-old me was just grossed out and wondering what the point was to all of it.

I COMPLETELY understand why guys wouldn't want to endure that, believe me! I only wish I had been spared of the embarrassment myself.

It’s weird but I never liked separation of family. I just checked with my wife who concurred, and felt pot luck events with husbands, wives, grandparents and friends far more desirable.... so thanks for considering us guys in the mix.