Despite rising numbers of stay-at-home dad, stigma remains

Hispanic and African-American fathers are still lagging in numbers when it comes to being stay-at-home dads in the United States begging the question whether social stigma or necessity plays a roll in the disparity.

The study from the Pew Research Center shows that the number of stay-at-home fathers has risen exponentially in the last few years and has almost doubled since 1989 in the United States. Nowadays 2 million stay-at-home dads live in the U.S.; 25 years ago, that number was just 1.1 million.

SEE ALSO: More stay-at-home-dads appear post-recession

Though there are a number of reasons for this—including a growing group of fathers stating that they’re home because they choose to be primary caregivers, not because there’s no other option—there’s still a stigma surrounding stay-at-home dads, and many men face questions or scorn from other families in the community.

However, research suggests that having a parent at home, regardless of whether that’s a mother or a father, is beneficial to children’s early development.

Who are stay at home dads

Among fathers who live with their children—whether those fathers are working or stay-at-home dads—African-Americans and Hispanics are the most likely to act as primary caregivers at home.

However, because it’s much more likely that white fathers live in the same household as their children, absolute numbers show that about half of all stay-at-home dads are white, compared to 20 percent of those men who are Hispanic.

Additionally, two decades ago it was more likely that foreign-born fathers would stay home with their children, but those numbers have shifted quickly: Today it’s more likely that native-born dads will stay home.

Pew reports a host of other attributes common to dads acting as the primary caregiver, including:

–       Education: 22 percent of stay-at-home dads lack a high school diploma, compared to 10 percent of working dads

–       Poverty: 47 percent of these men live below the poverty line, compared to 8 percent of working fathers

–       Lack of a working spouse: only 50 percent of stay-at-home fathers have a working spouse, compared to 68 percent of mothers who stay home

–       Age: 43 percent of these dads are over 45.

–       Disability: 35 percent of fathers at home are ill or disabled, compared to 11 percent of moms who stay home

Why stay home?

Though the numbers show the greatest number of fathers stay home because of illness or disability, looking at historical data suggests that there’s a shift toward fathers who choose to stay home.

In 1989, 56 percent of fathers who stayed home did so because of disability, compared to 35 percent today. Conversely, while only five percent of dads in that year cited “being the primary caregiver” as their reason, today 21 percent give that reason.

According to Pew, that means wanting to provide primary care represents the biggest increase among reasons that dads stay home. Some suggest that those numbers speak to “the power of economics in reshaping traditional family structures…[and] also of shifting gender norms.”

On the other hand, the Great Recession has also pushed more fathers to remain at home, since many have been laid off or can’t find work. Almost a quarter of all stay-at-home dads reported being there for this reason; that number is down from 2010, when 32 percent reported inability to find work as a factor in staying home.

Fighting the Stigma

Given the growing numbers, some might assume that the stigma associated with being a stay-at-home dad is gone.

Unfortunately, that’s not true. According to a survey reported in the Washington Post, society “rewards at-home mothers, but still wonders why at-home fathers aren’t at work.” Pew’s research backs this up, showing that while 51 percent of the public believes kids are better off if a mother is home, only eight percent believe the same of a father staying home.

Conversely, 34 percent believe that kids will be just as well off if the mother works, while 76 percent say that of the dad.

Organizations like the National At-Home Dad Network are fighting back, trying to diminish the “Mr. Mom” stereotype and the idea that staying at home with the kids is emasculating. The Network founded the Man Card Movement and hands out cards with mantras such as “As an actively involved dad, you are the manliest of men” or “Taking care of your child doesn’t make you ‘Mr. Mom’…It makes you Dad.”

With an increasing number of men citing “being a good father” as a life goal, along with gradually lessening stigma, it seems likely that we’ll see even more stay-at-home dads in the coming years.

SEE ALSO: Latinos make up growing number of grandparent caretakers