Recession and roles
EmailGreat read in the London Times on how the economy isn’t simply challenging our pocketbooks–it’s challenging our gender roles as well. Will unemployed assemblyline workers, the men among them, suddenly start to look at retraining as social workers, nurses, or even childcare workers? Will they be forced to consider more "feminine" options? Perhaps even becoming stay at home dads by default? In the U.S., where so far men are being harder hit than women, thinking flexibly may start to make sense.
Almost all of the research we’ve come across for our book, Womenomics, shows that men from Boomers to Gen x to Gen y are all eager to view themselves as less traditional–more "family friendly." Being a good dad is now a respected vocation–running out in the middle of the day for soccer games is cool for men and women. And the males of the younger generation absolutely insist on having plenty of flexibility. But that move toward kinder, better-rounded men might not translate into wholesale career shifts—unless the economy forces it–and society fully embraces it.
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Be sure your man and the father of your children is up to the task. My ex husband took Mr. Mom job 14 years ago, and he just wasn’t up to the task. He got our older daughter to school late 14 times in one 6 weeks, and he caused diaper rash and a staph infection in our baby daughter of 3 months. So, I had to find a care provider for both our children, let him find work while I continued working my 1.5 jobs, and got home and continued home duties.
Some men just aren’t cut out to be Mr. Mom’s. Again, be sure they can handle the tasks at hand. If not, get help or care providers who are trained to keep your children on a schedule and healthy.
Posted by: Gg51 | February 18, 2009, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm
I was out of work for over a year. Both my unemployement, and severance ran out. I withdrew funds from my IRA Account to stay current on my mortgage and debt obligations. I opted not to have the taxes taken out. I now owe the government taxes.
It upsets me to watch companies like my previous employer Bk of America benefit from my tax dollars.
Posted by: Caroline Dambreville | March 3, 2009, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
Given that men account for more than 70% of Americans who have become unemployed as the result of the current economic downturn, why is it that ABC News focuses with such obsessive zeal on women and employment? “Womenomics” may be politically correct, but it is patently — and shamefully –sexist.
Posted by: Larry | March 11, 2009, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
Per statistics maintained and published by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for calendar year 2007, men accounted for 92%, and women for only 8%, of employment fatalities. Indeed, as expressly observed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Men continued to record a DISPROPORTIONATE share of fatalities relative to their employment in 2007.” Why has ABC News turned a blind eye toward that stark REALITY? Shouldn’t the public be better educated about that enormous gender gap (perhaps “chasm” is the more apt word), and shouldn’t our government (and for that matter anyone truly committed to the principle of gender equity) champion the cause of eliminating that gap?
Posted by: Larry | March 11, 2009, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
I watched the news clip with the couple who has “changed roles” because the husband lost his job. I thought it was sad. The wife saying how she doesnt respect her husband anymore because he has taken her job. I want to laugh but the situation is too sad. I hate the idea of gender roles and this is an example why they dont always work. I would think that this reversal would help them understand the work each other those and respect and understand each other more. There is also the fact that domestic abuse incidents are up now too. We all need to rethink gender roles. I also want to say to the woman that posted the first blog, how much of a chance did you give your husband. Did you try to support him in a positive way cause as we know men are not taught to be the cooks, cleaner, and child care providers we are. Im controling to when it comes to domestic things, but women have to give up the control and help and give men time to grow into the role. You cant change a life-time of how he was taught to be a man over night. In those situations, I think women have to be retaught too.
Posted by: taquanis harris | March 18, 2009, 4:07 am 4:07 am
http://www.max-sky.com/
Posted by: lin | April 1, 2009, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm
Very Important to stay Positive No Matter what happens. Even if everything Today sounds much worth then Yesterday, you should know that Tomorrow is coming and Only You can make a Difference. Start to use your Brain every possible way you can, and go ways you never thought are for you. You may be use to things for the past 20 years and can not imagine doing something different. But, There are many ways, and one is waiting for you, just digg for it. Take your Time, don’t think that after first failure it’s OK to Give up and wait until something falls on you by it self. NO!, Keep Going Forward…You have 24 hours a Day and use them Wisely…and once again, Stay Positive. Negative thinking changes entire way of your Life journey. Good Luck!
Posted by: Mark | April 28, 2009, 9:34 pm 9:34 pm
Seems that my role has stayed the same,but just 3 times harder!!
My adult son’s had to move back in with their us!
.
The oldest graduated from a private Art school and cannot find work. My younger son is 1 semester away from being a Paramedic.
We are so far behind the normal curve!
My husband can’t afford to retire!He has been laid off 3 times in 5 yr’s!
We are in our 60′s!
What happened to pensions,social security,travel and fun???!!
Posted by: Barb | May 4, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
The discussion regarding gender roles and men out of work makes me sick. As an African-American woman and a descendant of slaves, WORKING TO MAKE A LIVING has been the CREDO of our lives. As a human being, I am also aware of the HARDSHIPS AND STARVATION of the diverse cultures living in the U.S. and how women were and still are the prime suppliers of food and housing.
The news media continues to focus on the experiences and lives of upper income society, ignores the lives of working class people, and is completely ignorant of the development of societies. WOMEN HAVE BEEN BREADWINNERS SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME. For instance:
1. Hunting and gathering societies; 90% of the food is provided by females.
2. Development of the West was the money earned by women and children hired out for farming, laundry, selling baked goods, eggs.
3. Many Depression Era women with 4 to 6 children became single moms. Most could only only find jobs as harvest workers.
It would be nice if ABC, CBS,NBC or any news agency would research and report someting outside of the comfort of the upper income employment box.
Work, survival, hardship and adversity are experiences shared by women and men.
Posted by: MaMB | May 5, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm