With the economy puttering along, households are shifting gears and rethinking their mechanics, allowing more dads to embrace the role of Mr. Mom. After a short- or-long term stint at home taking care of the kids, like the women before them, some men have been left wondering how to return to the labor market.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2009 unemployment rate for women was 2.2 percentage points lower than the rate for men — one of the largest work force gender gaps ever. The number of stay-at-home dads rose to 158,000 in 2009 from 140,000 in 2008 that were caring for children under 15 while their wives worked. The stay-at-home ratio for moms to dads continues to shrink, moving from 38 to 1 in 2008 to 32 to 1 in 2009.
Fathers staying at home find themselves building stronger ties with their children, but the adjustment from full-time employee to stay-at-home dad can take one to two years. One stay-at-home dad recommends others like him to stay in contact with people and not to isolate yourself from the public but to get involved. Continue to network and do some volunteer work, all which might lead to part-time work or full-time opportunities. [ABCNews.com]
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