The perception of gender roles between men and women around the world has been narrow and harsh for hundreds of years. Women have been the main focus in this issue, having gained the right to vote within the past century. But men have also seen a side of role reversal as the years have gone by that people overlook.
“I feel like men’s roles in society have been severely overlooked in our society and it’s sad,” junior Anders Gonzales said. “I think it’s important that we recognize and commend the advancements women have made in our culture, but we shouldn’t have to overlook how men have shifted in their stance over the years.”
In what Fox News calls the “Mr. Mom Era,” the number of stay-at-home dads has more than doubled. Over the last decade, the number has jumped from 81,000 in 2001 to 176,000 in 2011.
“I think it’s great that we live in a society where we can break the norm and have individuality about what we choose to do with our lives,” senior Sarah Williams said. “This just goes to show just because you’re a father, doesn’t mean you have to be the one and only breadwinner.”
The cause of the jump is not known for sure. Speculation surrounds the economic downturn of 2008 to be the culprit of the situation, but others believe that the definition of the “normal” American family is changing.
“To me, family doesn’t have a specific definition,” senior Claudia Fisch said. “If you’re a father and feel like you would be more successful to stay at home and raise your children, then who are we to judge and say that’s ‘not normal’?”
This trend has no sign of slowing down. According to Parade magazine, the most recent census reports the rate of stay-at-home dads has risen to 32 percent. But that’s not the only change men are making in relation to their roles in American culture. More and more men are taking jobs in industries and specifications that are normally women dominated, including nursing, fashion and interior design, teachers, librarians, telephone operators and more. In fact, the number of male nurses in the United States has increased by two-thirds within the past 20 years, while the number of male kindergarten and preschool teachers has risen by 28 percent.
“It’s a good thing to know the doors are opening for men to able to do anything they feel passionate about, without having to worry about judgment or harsh criticism from others,” Gonzales said. “And that’s the way it should be. Everyone deserves to be able to do what they love to do.”
The roles are by no means beginning to stabilize either. This is a trend that seems to be here to stay.
“I feel so proud that I live in a country where something as simple as gender can be irrelevant,” Williams said. “Something like jobs or lifestyle choices shouldn’t be off-limits or looked down upon just because you’re a man or a woman. It’s humbling to know our generation will lead the push for something great like this.”
