The myth of the stay-at-home dad

They're all over the news, but the data shows they're not statistically significant

Mr. Mom
(Image credit: (Mr. Mom/Facebook.com))

I have only good things to say about stay-at-home dads, or SAHDs. They serve as a potent symbolic victory in the struggle to get men to do their fair share of domestic work. They bring a valuable set of fresh eyes to parenting. Plus, they know how to change a diaper and pack a lunch. Really, the only problem I have with them is that, statistically speaking, they barely exist.

You might not realize this from the amount of attention they get from the media, including The New York Times who just can't get enough. The Grey Lady's latest was about a recent convention for the National At-Home Dad Network, where a grand total of 100 men got together to swap recipes and talk about what it feels like to spend your wife's money.

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Elissa Strauss

Elissa Strauss writes about the intersection of gender and culture for TheWeek.com. She also writes regularly for Elle.com and the Jewish Daily Forward, where she is a weekly columnist.