Q&A Forum - August 2008 (Best of Elise)

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Q. Ms. Sutton, What are your thoughts about full time fathers? That is, to what extent should males take care of their children full time? Do you think a father's care can begin as soon as the infant is born? Or should there be a bonding with the mother first? That is, before she goes back to work.

As you have discussed on numerous occasions, more and more women are out-earning their hubbies, and as a result, these women have been able to exercise their leverage to get men to be househusbands家庭主夫 — a husband who keeps the house and full time dads. I would love to marry a career woman and have children so that I can be a full time dad and househusband家庭主夫 — a husband who keeps the house. I love kids and would love to rear them. I can't think of a more important thing a man can do with his life. Also, I get excited about the idea of my successful career oriented wife putting me in charge of changing all those diapers!

A. Your question involves two entirely different topics. I think all men should be expected to be househusbands家庭主夫 — a husband who keeps the house and full-time fathers to a certain degree. The depth of that degree depends on the woman, her career and her goals. Some women might want a man to be a stay at home husband who does the housework and takes care of the children but most women will want their househusband家庭主夫 — a husband who keeps the house to also contribute to the finances as well.