want to be

househusbands
Not
so
long
ago,
the
idea of fathers staying at home to be
full-time childcarers was not common,
but new statistics show this situation 5 is
rapidly changing.
According to latest Government
statistics, in 2001 there were around
be seen at playgroups and schools,
155,000 men staying at home full-time
35 dropping off and picking up, in between
to look after children or home, with 60
running the family home. There is a
per cent doing so completely voluntarily.
growing need for more resources for
Added to this is the growing number of
stay-at-home fathers, such as the website
men who are working part-time or
launched by two 40 full-time fathers:
flexi-hours in order to take on the job of
www.homedad.org. uk. According to one of
chief carer.
the founders of the site, “almost all
A poll of 2,000 pregnant women and
resources for parents are aimed primarily
their partners, published by Pregnancy
at mothers. Although we were constantly 45
and Birth, reveals that most men want
being told in the media that the number of
to spend more time with their children.
stay-at-home dads was rising, we felt we
In the poll, only 34 per cent of men
didn’t have a voice.” He claims that the
wanted to continue in full-time work
website, which has over 500 members, is
once they had children, with 33 per cent
currently the so only UK support group
preferring to go part-time and another
dedicated to helping dads who are staying
third prepared to become stay-at-home
at home to bring up their children.
fathers. The only thing
Based on:
25 keeping them from staying at home is
Pereira H. Stay-at-home dads. Retrieved May 10, 2005,
money - the biggest concern for most from http://www.ivillage.co.uk/parenting/pracad/parcare/
prospective fathers, who said financial articles/0,,186674J518693-1.00.html [URL no longer
active] and
fears caused them more anxiety than Author unknown. (2004, August 15). Men want to be
worries about the loss of their freedom. househusbands. Retrieved May 15, 2005, from
http://www.uominicasalinghi.it/ index.asp?pg=1030
30 The social stigma around giving up work
to raise a family - which applies almost
exclusively to men - is fading away.
There are many more fathers to
 Appendices 1 and 2

Appendix 2: Sample OHTs

OHT 1

Men want to be househusbands

Now acceptable for men, not women, to be at home 155,000
men at home full-time, 60 per cent voluntarily - Government
statistics (2001)

More men are working part-time or flexi-hours in order to

take on the job of chief carer.

After they become fathers:

one-third: wanted to continue in full-time work
one-third: preferred to go part-time
one-third: preferred to become stay-at-home fathers

The only thing keeping them from staying at home is money -

the biggest concern for most prospective fathers, who said
financial fears cause them more anxiety than worries about
their loss of freedom.

Less social stigma for househusbands - now socially

acceptable to be a househusband. There are many more
fathers to be seen at playgroups and schools, dropping off
and picking up, in between running the family home.

Website now set up for dads to support each other in

childraising. Only UK support group helping dads who are
staying at home.