Do I Feel Like Less of a Man?
Today we will move on to number 11 of our questionaire.
Question #11
Has becoming a stay-at-home dad made you feel as though you were less of a man? Why or why not?
As I mentioned before, most of this is just overcoming what others think about you. A long while back I wrote an article called overcoming stereotypes you may be interested in reading through. When it comes to dealing with myself I am very comfortable when it comes to staying home. The problem is how others perceive you and how to overcome those stereotypical feelings you know others are pinpointing you with.
But have I really felt like less of a man? I would have to admit there are days I wish I could be out fishing, or even working at a different job. But, having worked before at more than a dozen different types of jobs, I soon realized those feelings are normal no matter what I did, even including being a Stay at Home Father. There are always other things I want to do besides what I am doing currently. I think this is quite normal.
The biggest rut for a Stay at Home Father is the stereotype rut. Once you can overcome this then you can move on and soon realize what you are doing is not making you less of a man but more of one.
I would have to agree, though, if I were living in a different era staying home while my wife worked may not be a “manly” thing to do. But today anybody can hold a job and it is not unheard of for both parents to be out working. So in the same regards it is not that bad in today’s day and age for a man to change a few diapers and clean up around the house.
-sillydad
Damn, I feel like becoming a dad-at-home myself some day. But it does remind me of a fragment from one of John Irving’s books where he explained that good fathers staying at home with their kids are typically betrayed by wifes. One of those goddamn stereotypes.
In any case, five sure is great! All the best!
July 9th, 2006 at 10:44 am