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A stay-at-home dad is a term used to describe a male parent who is the main Carer of the children and the home, often eshewing a career. Alternative terms include '''stay at home father''', '''househusband''' or ''' Homemaker '''. BACKGROUND Traditional Gender Roles gave the primary parent to the typical Housewife , but increasing equality, especially since Women's Suffrage in many places, has caused a reversal of these roles amongst some, allowing Women's careers to take precedence in a marriage so they are the primary Breadwinner of the family. Increased Divorce rates have also resulted in many more split families, and some fathers are choosing to be the main carer rather than the mother. Expanded Gay Rights has resulted in the increased prevalence of LGBT Adoption , with some fathers choosing to stay at home to look after their children while their partner goes to work. As recently as 25 years ago, such an arrangement with the father staying at home was almost unknown in many places of the world, with traditionally fathers having less contact with their child than the mother, but prevalence is increasing and attitudes are changing. In some places, however, such as in the rural Canadian Prairie Provinces , the practise of women going to work while men stay at home has existed since the 1930s. Despite this, stay-at-home dads still aren't widespread in much of the world. MOTHER'S ROLE IN HOUSEHOLD In families with a stay-at-home dad who has a mother present, the mother usually has a full-time job and makes most of the income for her family. The "swapping" of roles works well for many families. The mother may have a professional occupation that requires substantial time at the office in exchange for the salary to support the family on one income. Household tasks may be shared more than "traditional" Western roles might prescribe. In these arrangements, the father will assume the majority of the household chores (cooking, cleaning, and laundry) and childrearing. However when the mother gets home from work, the mother will often reassume these duties from the "stay-at-home dad" (see also Double Burden ). This is something that is more common than in families involving a traditional " Stay At Home Mom ". IN FICTION Mr. Mom The Michael Keaton movie '' Mr. Mom '' (1983) features one of the more famous portrayals of a stay-at-home dad. Many stay-at-home dads dislike being labeled ''Mr. Mom'' because of bumbling aspect of the father in the movie and the feeling that stay-at-home dads are trying to be a mother. Many feel that their contribution is as a father and that is just as important to children, but distinct from a mother's contribution. A 2004 Country song entitled " Mr. Mom " was released by the group, Lonestar . ''Diary of a Hapless Househusband'' novel Published in the United Kingdom in August 2007 , the ''Diary of a Hapless Househusband'' by Sam Holden is a comic account of the trials of a stay-at-home dad. It has been described by Allison Pearson as 'a very very funny and often touching account of one man's struggle to run Planet Home'. However, much like 'Mr Mom', the humour comes from the house-husband being inept and uncommitted to the role, a stereotype many stay-at-home dads find out-dated. The biography of the author ('Sam Holden' is a nom de plume) states: Sam Holden...wrote the book after swapping lives with his wife for a week'. GROUPS In many parts of the U.S., "stay at home dads" have dads' playgroups available. These groups allow their children to do activities with children of other "stay-at-home dads". These groups help support the dads and encourage interaction with their children. Existing playgroups had already been created to benefit "stay-at-home moms" and their children. Many of these groups readily accept dads. There are national and local stay-at-home dad groups and E-mail lists. REFERENCES SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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