Listening 11 – Listen for specific words

In the past, being a “stay-at-home dad” was borderline unthinkable – but statistics show that in the past twenty years, the number of stay-at-home dads has doubled in the U.K. and tripled in the U.S. Although families in which the father stays home still represent a very small percentage, the rapid may indicate the early stages of a trend.

Economists have speculated that men who were laid off during the two recent recessions have been unable to another job, thus leaving their wives as the sole breadwinners. Also, according to a recent study in the U.S., 28% of women now earn higher salaries than their husbands; this makes the prospect of being a stay-at-home dad more financially feasible. Women’s increased earning is thanks to a higher number of female college graduates – and this trend is bound to increase, as women now outnumber men in American universities.

Researchers have suggested that having a stay-at-home dad may actually be better for the child, because a father’s parenting can be more beneficial for the child’s development in the early years. While mothers usually and reassure kids who are sad or frustrated, fathers tend to encourage a more proactive approach to coping with the situation. This helps the child become more confident and emotionally .

In addition, studies have shown that mothers who work outside the home frequently engage with their children having a full-time job. This is not the case for men – when the father works full-time, he tends to have little influence or connection with his children. This leads to the conclusion that having a working mother and a stay-at-home dad is the best way for children to form strong bonds with both parents.

There are a few cons to reversing the stereotypical gender roles. Stay-at-home dads may face a of social support or even be ridiculed for their role in the family. Stay-at-home dads might also struggle with their own self-esteem, feeling that they are less manly because they the activities traditionally done by women. Some also worry that they will fall behind in their professional lives, as they are folding laundry and diapers while their peers are climbing the career ladder.

In general, men who have made the conscious choice to be stay-at-home dads are more satisfied with their than men who have been forced into the role due to a layoff.

It is clear that being a stay-at-home dad is a complex issue. From a gender equality standpoint, the fact that men now feel more taking on this role is certainly positive. However, stay-at-home dads continue to face unique challenges, as this family arrangement is still far from being the norm.