Men are supposed to be the head of the house but what if the wife makes more money so the dad switches roles and takes care of the kids? Is this frowned upon by other people? I would like to hear your thoughts! I'm not talking about free loaders who sit on the couch all day! I'm talking cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, doctor visits, watching kids, and the whole works!
2007-06-07 06:40:44 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I have no problem with that.
Being a stay at home dad doesn't make them less than a man.
2007-06-07 06:43:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My husband was a stay-at-home dad last year, after he got laid off and couldn't find a job. I happen to have skills that are more marketable than his these days, that's all. We all thought it was a good arrangement. He is an exceptional parent, a great cook (used to manage a restaurant) and a good housekeeper. However, much as we thought it was working, our budget wasn't. Women are still underpaid in almost every profession -- about 10% less -- and mothers are paid even less than childless women -- about 17% less (that's a whopping 27% less than male counterparts). So I couldn't support the family by myself. My husband's journey back to the workforce hasn't been 100% pleasant. Since he stayed home with the kids for 8 months, prospective employers think he was just lazy. He got laid off from his last job solely because he'd reached the maximum the boss wanted to pay for his position. His position was not eliminated -- he was laid off and replaced with a fresh-from-college newbie whom the boss could pay $10k less a year. So he's in a tough spot, even though he has an exemplary work record. Now we are both working, and working overlapping shifts. The hours that we are both at work, the kids are with close family friends, so it's not horrible. But the whole situation stinks. Employers *should* pay a living wage so that one parent can support the family, but that's just not happening in these tough economic times. That's the real moral problem, as far as I'm concernd. It's not which parent is working -- it's the lack of adequate pay in many professions that will enable one parent to support the whole family. Oh, and before people think we're not make adequate sacrifices, we shop at thrift stores and buy hardly anything new (socks, underwear, food). We garden, recycle, keep our energy costs low. Both vehicles are paid for (and necessary as we work alternating shifts), and we live less than 1.5 miles from both our jobs. We don't take vacations, go to the movies or eat out. I have 22 years experience in my profession and have made a name for myself regionally, but I make 25% less then men who've been at it for half as long.
2016-05-19 01:03:05 · answer #2 · answered by nell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have first hand experience in this. For 11 years I have been a stay at home dad. Unfortunately I have to debunk some of the positive answers on this post. My wife has worked ever since I met her. When we chose to move to the country in rural Tennessee. I became the caregiver due to her getting a good job here. I did all the things a good mother would do plus make this old 1890's home something to be proud of. In September last year our youngest child started kindergarten, this was my que to go back to work. Finding a suitable job here was difficult, but in early April I got a job. My wife then decides we need to divorce. Somewhere, in all that I have done for the family I have become emasculated and am now being forced out. More on this later.
2007-06-09 01:42:26 · answer #3 · answered by downwrinkle49 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I know all about what stay at home parents do, I'm one of them.
Do what is best for your family, and don't listen to anyone else. Your method does not disagree with Biblical views, you still need to be the head of the household. What the Bible means by the man being over the woman is the man is to be the director and leader of the spiritual life of the family. He's like the CEO of a company. You can still be that while sitting on the floor picking gum out of the carpet lol.
2007-06-07 07:21:38 · answer #4 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have know two guys so far that are stay at home dads and they are really great guys. It still seems strange to some people but I think as more and more people do it, it will become de rigeur. Right now I'm the stay at home mom but believe me, there are times when I'd gladly change places with my husband. Unfortunately, it isn't money but temperament that keeps him from being at home full time.
2007-06-07 06:55:07 · answer #5 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My boyfriend has a great out look on this one- it has come up in conversation a few times with us. He and I agree that the parent with the better job should continue to work until the children are old enough to go to school. Right now he is in the position to continue working- but If I had the better job I would to continue to work.
Once the kids are in school and things are back to "normal" tho other should return to work if the family needs aren't met.
2007-06-07 06:55:43 · answer #6 · answered by smeusmc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in full support of it. Sometimes given the right people and circumstances this is the most ideal situation. If it works for that couple then who is anyone to criticize. My husband and I are seriously considering this option a few years after I finish college.
The Plan: I finish college, we both work for 2 years, he quits work, I work and he takes care of the home for a year, then he starts graduate school for his PHD, and I continue to support the family while he is in school.
2007-06-07 06:57:57 · answer #7 · answered by Poppet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is 2007 last time i checked.....now days men and wemen frequently change roles...there are alot of wemen electricians and carpenters...so WHY not? i personally know two stay at home dads ...and they do an amazing job..these dads came by this through job eliminations ...and the one family says this works out great for them the dad does housework, cooking, shopping, and taxi's kids to all after school activities just like the mom use to...when i asked him about it he said" I have a greater appreciation for my wife,for now i realize what a difficult job this is"...
2007-06-07 07:16:17 · answer #8 · answered by sheismistyblue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 6 brothers. One of them is a stay at home Dad for the past 12 years. He has 4 kids, 27,24, 17 and 11. He is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing and he is very masculine and no one in the family judges him for it. If anything we (his 3 sisters) think far better of him for it.
Good luck and if you want to do it, go for it!
2007-06-07 08:18:31 · answer #9 · answered by New England Babe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a great idea if the couple wants to do it. It's hard to maintain a family and home now for the average middle income family so you have to do what you have to do....which normally means getting the most money you can from a job...no matter which person within the couple is doing it.
2007-06-07 06:55:04 · answer #10 · answered by ☼♫Hmm..Interesting♪☼ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love them! I think it's a great trend that society's taking.
There will come a time in the future when people will look back and shake their heads wondering how we could have ever believed, as a society, that men were incapable of nurturing, caring roles in the home and family, much like we now look back on the past and wonder how we could ever have believed, as a society, that women were incapable of responsible, aggressive roles in the business world.
2007-06-07 06:51:36 · answer #11 · answered by Maureen 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋