What's In a Name

Except for contactors, what dad will call himself a homemaker?

The Washington Post reported (registration required) Father's Day that the number of stay-at-home dads as triple the number of the 1990s, about 2.7 percent of stay-at-home parents, compared to the distaff side's 97.3 percent. Of course, the men in the article all worked outside the home (consulting, freelance, etc.) in addition to being the first line of support for their children.

Such men are the unwitting combatants in a fight between women — isn't it always the way? 1970s Women's Lib "theology" suggested to many women they were failures if they did nothing more than bear and raise children. Then came the backlash and the rejection of the philosophy by loudly (if defensively) claiming one's status in the home and out of the workplace. So, "housewife" (who is actually married to a house?) and "homemaker" (really, shouldn't this refer only to the builder?) both became politically loaded names.

Neither the reporter nor anybody interviewed seemed comfortable referring to such men as "homemakers," "househusband" promotes giggling and "stay-at-home dad" doesn't really seem to fit for men working so much. So, a new moniker is needed — for if the number triples every decade, men will be the primary caregivers in the 30s and given that status, it only seems fair we give them a name of which they can be proud. Suggestions invited.

** If only "dad" or "mom" were enough to explain what one "did." **