I have a friend, who goes through this. A dedication, and a thought kindling post for him.
LONG READ
As society evolves in India, the concept of a stay-at-home dad has slowly made its entry into life here. Though stay-at-home dads are seen only in urban homes now, family specialists and counselors feel that this is only the beginning of the trend. As women slowly step into traditionally men-occupied roles, it is only natural that men too step into women's shoes.
Many parents realize that it is vital for a parent to be around during the child's growing years. This trend is based on only one fact.. Career. Times have told us men work and women care, this theory, has started changing. the most common reason is that the wife usually has a better pay package and it would be more feasible if he left his job instead of her. Some men are quite comfortable taking up the duties of a homemaker and therefore take up this option, logically.
Pros
The biggest pro here is men get to spend quality time with their child ( men have always been blamed for the lack of it)
Increased bonding between the child and the father, a unique bond, which nurtures the child in believing all jobs are equal. The child grows up gender neutral.
Being a stay-at-home dad is never a compromise. People today have realized that managing a home is a truly challenging job. Besides, it is not that much of a sacrifice if it lets the wives have a far more fulfilling career.
Cons
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of being a stay-at-home dad is the career gap which occurs. Employers may have inhibitions about hiring a person who has a 6-8 year gap in his career.
Society is still coming to terms with the concept of a stay-at-home dad. Though becoming a stay-at-home dad is a logical and rational one, many people still find it difficult to accept this unconventional lifestyle. Especially in India, many people still feel that it is absurd for a man to stay at home and not work. Though this mentality is changing, it is doing so at a very slow rate.
Financial strain and the Indian mentality do not work well. The stress, if at all there us one, on a man to ask his wife money for expenses is still frowned upon by society at large.
Being at home all day could lead to social isolation, requiring conscious effort to maintain social connections.
Some may face societal judgments or assumptions about their role, requiring resilience and self-confidence ( it has broken mine long ago).
For some, leaving the workforce can lead to a loss of professional identity or purpose ( I still am in the self pity stage, for what my 3 gold medals in MBA just made me sit at home)
Strain on the relationship with the partner.. What was once we have all time time turns to may I talk to you? Kills it for a man. His love does not change, but, the feeling of am not important for her does.
The biggest thing is once the child grows up, he/she is confused about the fact that rest of his/her classmates have dads going to work and her/his dad sits at home doing nothing. As the child grows, peer pressure, puts them through such a journey that they move away from the very father who had sacrificed.
Stress and self pity sets in for the man after a point in time, because his wife is busy in her career and the child in trying to build his or hers. Not having money and fear of asking is a killer.
LONG READ
As society evolves in India, the concept of a stay-at-home dad has slowly made its entry into life here. Though stay-at-home dads are seen only in urban homes now, family specialists and counselors feel that this is only the beginning of the trend. As women slowly step into traditionally men-occupied roles, it is only natural that men too step into women's shoes.
Many parents realize that it is vital for a parent to be around during the child's growing years. This trend is based on only one fact.. Career. Times have told us men work and women care, this theory, has started changing. the most common reason is that the wife usually has a better pay package and it would be more feasible if he left his job instead of her. Some men are quite comfortable taking up the duties of a homemaker and therefore take up this option, logically.
Pros
The biggest pro here is men get to spend quality time with their child ( men have always been blamed for the lack of it)
Increased bonding between the child and the father, a unique bond, which nurtures the child in believing all jobs are equal. The child grows up gender neutral.
Being a stay-at-home dad is never a compromise. People today have realized that managing a home is a truly challenging job. Besides, it is not that much of a sacrifice if it lets the wives have a far more fulfilling career.
Cons
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of being a stay-at-home dad is the career gap which occurs. Employers may have inhibitions about hiring a person who has a 6-8 year gap in his career.
Society is still coming to terms with the concept of a stay-at-home dad. Though becoming a stay-at-home dad is a logical and rational one, many people still find it difficult to accept this unconventional lifestyle. Especially in India, many people still feel that it is absurd for a man to stay at home and not work. Though this mentality is changing, it is doing so at a very slow rate.
Financial strain and the Indian mentality do not work well. The stress, if at all there us one, on a man to ask his wife money for expenses is still frowned upon by society at large.
Being at home all day could lead to social isolation, requiring conscious effort to maintain social connections.
Some may face societal judgments or assumptions about their role, requiring resilience and self-confidence ( it has broken mine long ago).
For some, leaving the workforce can lead to a loss of professional identity or purpose ( I still am in the self pity stage, for what my 3 gold medals in MBA just made me sit at home)
Strain on the relationship with the partner.. What was once we have all time time turns to may I talk to you? Kills it for a man. His love does not change, but, the feeling of am not important for her does.
The biggest thing is once the child grows up, he/she is confused about the fact that rest of his/her classmates have dads going to work and her/his dad sits at home doing nothing. As the child grows, peer pressure, puts them through such a journey that they move away from the very father who had sacrificed.
Stress and self pity sets in for the man after a point in time, because his wife is busy in her career and the child in trying to build his or hers. Not having money and fear of asking is a killer.
