Househusbands

[Coobeastie]

It is plannedthat I will become a househusband once my wife and I have children and we have mentioned this to a few women who have reacted in what I would call a hypocritical manner. Saying that as a man I should work & provide for my family and that its a lazy option. And yet if I was to direct this kind of comment at a 'housewife' i'd get accused of being a ignorant pig and told in no short terms that they actually run the house and that its a full time job etc etc.

I also noted on the spendthrift question a certain theme towards househusbands being work shy.

I'm just intrigued to know why certain people don't think a man is capable of running a house and looking after the children, or that this is somehow a deminished task if its a man rather than a woman doing it.

[joanne713]

No idea, When I had my little girl I went back to work full time and my ex stayed at home to look after her and the house. And he did an excellent job.

[jeanette1976]

You know what? LET them think what the hell they want, don't let it bother you, if it's good enough for you AND your wife, then good for you!

Its exactly this kind of small-minded gobbledegook that makes this tired old world go loopy... sigh....poor thing. X

[kipchik]

If thats what works for you and your wife then good on ya,the only 2 people that are entitled to make this decision is you two,personally i say why not!

[turboped]

My wife and I have shared the responsibility of looking after the house and kids at times and we both know that the easy option is going out to work. Its a joy spending so much time with the kids, but it's bloody hard work and you go stir crazy. Good on you and good luck.

[sandrajo]

I stayed at home and brought my daughter up, I feel my husband missed out on alot of things, but someone has to provide the bread and butter right. My brother stayed at home as his wife had the better job and loved every minute of it, now he is looking to go back to work, but wishes his wife would have another kid as he loved the house husband role.

[Katie~77]

Staying at home is definitely NOT the easy option. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.x

[Coobeastie]

Thanks all for your encouragement I think you all deserve 3 stars :)

Sandrajo, we're in a similar situation to your brother.

My wife is hoping to lower her hours and I will run the house and try to work from home until the children start school.

[puzzled54]

I'm old fashioned enough to think that a child needs a parent to be around, and I'm sure you'll be brilliant at it. The only downside to a dad looking after the child is that I think it's more difficult for a man to fit into the social side of things when the children are young = toddler groups, coffee mornings etc seem to be more for mums, so you may have to look harder for outside activities. Good luck.

[mnko]

hey .
now i'm a househusband and ill tell anyone that its ******* hard work i admire anybody male or female that looks after a house and kids. i never stop (well i sneak on here) its hard work but its also rewarding work. gone are the days that the man should work and bring home the money. its the 21st century for christ sake. oh by the way i aint workshire my wife prefers working, i also am older and have worked with kids in school inviroment, teachers assistant for 2 years. i think i know what makes children tick, well most of the time. HOUSEWIVES/HUSBANDS. i take my hat off to them all.

[CLOWN TICKLE]

good luck, have done it for eighteen years

[Cobra2]

Househusbands = lazy gets

[Coobeastie]

Can you substantiate that cobra?

[andy-hughes]

If you know people who think this way, and are rude enough to tell you, then you are haning out with the wrong people.

[WendyS]

I think reactions have been influenced by thousands of years of gender stereotyping, where the men went out and did the hunting or earned the money and the women stayed at home, tended the fires, did the cooking and looked after the children.
The world has now moved on, yet many peoples' attitudes are still stuck in a timewarp. I honestly don't think it matters which partner stays at home and which partner works. As long as the children have a loving and secure home, that is the only issue which should be influencing you. Running a home and looking after a small child is not an easy option. If you and your wife are happy that your decision will work, other peoples' options are irrelevant. Good luck to you both.