Could your relationship work if the man became a stay at home dad, while the woman had a high profile job?

Question

When the two of you began your relationship you both were already pursuing individual careers. However, the woman's career took off and reached executive heights soon before the man's. A man convinced to leave his job to be a stay at home dad/ cook/ housekeeper/ etc. would be financially supported by his woman.

Men's sense of self-confidence seem to hinge on their perceived professional accomplishments. Men will go nuts if they don't feel like they struggled and accomplished something.

Answer 1

I know a couple that this situation fits. Except she didn't have a high powered executive position. She was an RN and after having their two children she went back to work and their father stayed home with them until they were in school full time, then he went back part time.
They made the decision together based solely on financial benefits to their family. However, the other benefits far outweighed the financial end of things. The kids have a much deeper relationship with their dad than a lot of kids I know. They have a great relationship with their mom too, but they really bonded with their dad, which was really beneficial for their older child (a son).
A comment on the sense of self confidence .....
A strong man knows his place in his family and his marriage. It is purely society that thinks that a man's work is outside the home and a woman's work is inside the home.

Answer 2

Yes it can work. I am a stay-at-home dad myself. My wife and I both have masters degrees and both had good careers. We both were against the concept of day care and she liked her job more than I did. I have been doing this for 18 months and I'm not nuts. It's hard dealing with the lack of adult contact, etc. but these are the same issues that stay-at-home-moms deal with.

Yes, men do tend to get their sense of self-worth from work. I do have a part-time job which helps me feel more balanced, though. It's ok to value work, but also ok to value family as well. Men and women are both capable of being more balanced.

Answer 3

I did exactly just that, but along the way i lost respect for my husband and ended up in a long and miserable divorce.Now I realize i may be more old fained than I tough. The man has to wear the pants , otherwise the power shift may be too much to bear.

Answer 4

This type of situation works for a lot of people now days. Myself I don't fit in because my kids are all grown and have children of their own.

Answer 5

i dont think it works that way. man is supposed to earn and provide. woman may contribute though. that's natural. otherway around is going against nature. nothing comes out good going against nature.

Answer 6

yes and no