Get Inspired, Be Empowered › Forums › Gender Justice › Our society is becoming more accepting of stay-at-home dads. Reality or illusion? › Reply To: Our society is becoming more accepting of stay-at-home dads. Reality or illusion?
Most dads have a pretty clear idea and image of what the stay-at-home dad role entails: taking care of the kids, doing housework, organizing those birthday parties, maybe watching the game from time to time, etc. While this may be true for some families, many modern dads come into this role with expectations and/or ideas that involve more than they realize. Because many stay-at-home dads are also taking care of some household business during their day off, there may be expectations on their end about how much they’ll do once arriving at home on that “weekend.” However, an increasing number of men who are taking on this role insist that they do so because they want more family time. The increased presence of stay-at-home dads in the current workforce may be a cultural shift indicating society’s progression toward a more family-oriented mindset.
Stay-at-home fathers are a growing part of the world population and have a wide array of shared responsibilities and personal lives. Their work environments and child-rearing practices continue to be shaped by society at large as they navigate an unfamiliar world. As a result, they continue to face unique challenges as they balance their personal lives with work-life balance and new roles within their communities. Many stay-at-home dads would like more recognition and financial support from society. They resent being told what to do by others and feel that society should provide a better way for them to care for their families. Some fathers want the right to take certain actions relating to their child’s health and education without consulting others first, such as signing a power of attorney setting forth arrangements for medical care or school transportation.
Stay-at-home dads are still an uncommon sight. A recent study showed that just over 12% of all fathers had worked outside the home in 1990, compared to just under 19% in 2011. That number has grown, however, and it’s not because more stay-at-home dads are becoming established or successful. It’s because America has become less reliant on work. As more parents juggle children and careers, we’re becoming more interested in nurturing relationships at home than machines domesticating other humans.
There are many reasons why men decide to become stay-at-home dads. It may be that the man lost his job or hours were cut, or the woman in the family was promoted and now makes more than her husband. It may also have to do with child-rearing choices. Some women who have careers want their children to be around their father for more time. The decision is sometimes made after a couple has already had children because one parent wants to exit the workforce for personal and professional needs in order to provide better care for their children.