Turinys
In search of the stay-at-home father
Type “stay-at-home dads” into Google and you’ll be prompted to correct with “stay-at-home moms”. Even on the Net, we do not challenge the established order with impunity! They are so few (or supposed to be) full-time dads, that the statistics concerning them are almost non-existent. In France, they are not counted. We have figures on paternity leave. But, it should be remembered, this leave is 11 days. It’s a short break in a career. Parental leave remains, which can go up to 3 years. In 2004, they were 238 pioneers to have taken it, 262 in 2005, 287 (it’s going up!) In 2006. Men represent 1,2% of parental leave each year. See also our fact sheet on parental leave.
Few statistics on the housewife
This lack of statistics and large-scale sociological survey has the sad consequence that it is impossible to establish a profile of the father at home and the reasons which, at the outset, motivate this choice. All unemployed men do not become fairies of the house involved 100% in family logistics, this situation is not necessarily a default choice imposed by the circumstances of life. As Frédéric, father of two, testifies: “When I considered stopping my craft activity to take care of my son, my business was at its best. Bruno *, a stay-at-home father for 8 years, already knew at 17 that he wanted to bring up his children, “as my mother had done”.
Stay-at-home father: mentalities are changing
Even when the choice is fully assumed, even claimed, external looks are nonetheless difficult to live with. To Frédéric, we said: “So, like that, it is you who make the woman? “Bruno, himself, faced the incomprehension of those around him:” Okay, you are going to stay at home but otherwise you are looking for a job? He believes, however, that mentalities are changing quite quickly. “The media contributed to it. We pass less for oddballs. “
Word of a stay-at-home father
Bruno, 35, father of Leïla, Emma and Sarah, at home for 8 years.
“I always knew that the metro-work-sleep was not my thing. I have a nursing assistant diploma and a history license. It was not unemployment that pushed me to take care of my children but a choice of life. My wife is an emergency nurse, passionate about her work, even a careerist! Me, I like to take care of my daughters, to cook. I don’t do everything at home, we share the tasks. And I have a life outside, lots of activities, otherwise I won’t hold out. So my schedule is really busy. We had to explain very recently to our unbelieving daughters that yes, sometimes fathers work. And it even happens that both parents have a job. ”
* Animates the site “pereaufoyer.com”