These moms and dads speak out about how they feel about their roles.
The ‘pleased’ vs. ‘reluctant’ breadwinning mom
Breadwinning moms who didn’t choose to be the primary earners in their families tend to feel less satisfied about their lives than women who consciously selected the role:
29% of the moms said they became breadwinners by choice;
71% fell into the role by circumstance, chance or luck;
Whereas, 59% of breadwinning dads said they chose the role.
Child care
89% of the “pleased” moms were satisfied with how much their spouse or partner took care of the children;
versus
58% for the “reluctant” breadwinners.
Household chores
75% of “pleased” breadwinning moms were satisfied with how chores were divided;
versus
48% for the “reluctant” breadwinners.
Satisfaction with family life
76% of men were happy with the division of household responsibilities;
versus
60% of women, and 71%
85% of men were happy with how the child care is being handled, versus of women.
The thing both breadwinning moms and dads agreed on was how expectations about family roles still need to change, with 74% of breadwinning moms and 72% of dads saying society remains more comfortable with men as the primary earners.
However, in the article, More men get alimony from their ex-wives, a rise in men asking ex-wives for spousal support is also increasing as more women become breadwinners. Although up-to-date numbers are unclear, according to 2010 Census records, of the 400,000 people receiving spousal support, only 3 percent were men. Fast forward to 2013, when the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers surveyed its 1,600 members and found that 47 percent had noticed an increase in the number of women who are paying alimony.
As women increasingly become chief breadwinners, and with the ascent of stay-at-home fathers, the number of men seeking alimony from their ex-wives is expected to rise as social mores change.
At Stange Law Firm, PC, we represent both men and women in matters of divorce, child custody, child support, paternity and other domestic relations issues. Stange Law Firm focuses exclusively on family law. Contact us online or by calling 1-855-805-0595.
Sources: Reluctant breadwinner moms are less happy, Kelly Wallace, CNN
More men get alimony from their ex-wives, Geoff Williams, Reuters
