Ryan was talking to a friend of his who, as a result of the economy, is a stay-at-home dad. We’re sure Ryan’s pal is probably one of a number of guys who have taken on this role due to the toughonomy. There are also guys that have been stay-at-home dads for awhile by their own choice. While it’s not unheard of, it’s still not as common as hearing of stay-at-home moms.
While big daddy Stanley T understands that just generally being a parent is difficult, he is cool with the idea of stay-at-home dads. Nicole is the same way, whether a dad doesn’t make more than his wife, and someone has to stay at home and watch the kids, or if it’s by choice. Rich thinks a dad should be a provider, and working out in the work and “bringing home the bacon” no matter what. It could very well be a choice do to unemployment, like Ryan’s friend.
There are several negative points of view, such as the male ego being battered, or maybe being called lazy, or just being poked fun at by friends. The good points might be that a dad would be able to bond more with his kids. What is the position of the dad these days, and how has it changed? What is your opinion of the stay at home dad? If you aren’t a stay-at-home dad but had the option to be, would you take it?
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Agree w rich, a man who’s okay with the women working and makes no effort to find a job or return to work is not providing and is being lazy.
Hey Ryan if u still need a date for ur trip u can take me. Ha ha !I think ur hot
My dream is to be a stay-at-home for anything. But I like working because it gives me something to do outside of the house. I think that everyone needs co-workers (good ones) where they can talk to people outside of their family. I don’t think the at home dad is wrong or he is lazy, if he is working hard and taking care of things around the home why is that not considered work? The modern family has changed over the years and a traditional family is not traditional anymore. If a family wants to have dad at home it’s still a family.
OMG!!!! First I hope this was all just to spark a debate and that Rich really isn’t such a small-minded egotistical hate-monger!!!!
If he is married and has kids (which I figure he most likely does not!) I pity them greatly.
How dare you joke about the husband having to ask his wife for money like that!! Do you honestly think that a wife should do the same???
If one is working and the other is at home being the full time parent, is one more entitled to spend money than the other?
I just can’t believe that you would have such a narrow-minded, sexist, piece of ___, on the air and getting paid to let ignorance spread like a disease!
I think there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a stay-at-home dad as long as there is enough income being brought into the house by SOMEONE to pay the bills, buy food, etc. I think that the idea that a man has to make the money is incredibly sexist. However, I am not surprised that Rich would be the one to make the comment. Rich is sexist and that’s been true the entire time I’ve listened to the show. As long the dad is doing his fair share while he’s at home, good for him.
Both my hubby and myself are on the road during this time of year. I’m away three or four days during the late week/ weekend and hubby is an over the road truck driver. I actually make more money at art and craft shows than he does driving a truck all week. I would certainly LOVE for him to stay home with the kids especially since my older two children, (we have five), have their own lives or are at college. With two parents working, the money for daycare and after school care is enough to knock you back. If I worked a full time job, after school care would cost us $300 a week for the three still in school. Since the pay rates are not even close to what they were even two years ago, and some college grads making only $10 an hour to start, for me to go back into the work force full time, is impossible. I would have only $100 left and then after taxes, gas, meals, I would be breaking even! I’m seriously thinking hubby should take a family leave and stay home with the kids while I make my money during this holiday season and he can return in two months when my shows end. I believe if you have more than one child, one parent should stay home unless each parent makes over $75,000 a year and then they could afford daycare. It’s a catch 22 either way.
Rich is just being sexist. Obviously, someone has to make the money, but no one said it had to be the man since the 1950′s. Nicole should have slapped him for his comments!
I have to say that in today’s society with kids being products of single parenting and a parent needing to work to support them, if there are two parents and one is able to stay at home and teach them values then more power to them, no matter what their gender is. A child needs to have someone able to be at home with them in the evenings to help with homework, have meals with and to be a role model. There are too many children who have nobody at home when they get off the school bus that it is important and should never matter who is there to greet them. As long as that parent loves and cares for the kids and doesn’t resent being home, who cares whether they are mom or dad???
Dear Morning Mash Up Crew,
I have been an avid listener to your show since buying my Jeep a few months ago. Most of the time I find your show a welcome addition to a “same old, same old” workday. However this Morning I heard Rich’s comment about being a stay home dad. I found myself asking how could someone have such a simple and unrealistic view on this topic? Have you not heard the news of the financial status of the United States? Every where you look there is news of people losing there jobs and that is not to mention the current unemployment numbers. People are scrambling to a find a job and bring income to the home. In some cases this is to keep their homes.
I would also like to take a moment to talk about what I see in my job everyday. I am proud to be currently serving in the United States Army. I work with female soldiers everyday who already have to live up the same standards of their male counter parts. Now factor in deployments and the little pay that we get while on Active Duty. These “Dead Beat Dads” pick up the slack while the female soldiers are working long hours and out in the field. During the deployments these, “Dead Beat Dads” take care of the family everyday all the while worrying about their female “Bread Winners” in harms way.
“But Rich why doesn’t the male join to?” Most of these “Dead beat Dads” are prior service who got hurt beyond being able to return to active duty. Even though these “Dead Beat Dads” are not on active duty they are involved with the Family Readiness Groups and heavily involved in supporting the deployed families back home. They are a wealth of information due to the fact they most likely have been deployed to the same areas themselves.
In closing I have to say that I am truly disappointed in such a simple-minded view of modern America. Rich I hope in reading this you will take a look around at the state of America and the people around you. I hope that this helps to show you that there are amazing people in this world that would work if they could. While I won’t pretend this will change your mind I just want you to see a small piece of what I see every day in these, “Dead beat Dads.”
OK we don’t live in 1950 anymore. Wake up! If both people in the relationship agree that the man should stay home and take care of the children while the woman works, what’s wrong with that? I have you know that my husband is a part-time stay at home dad. He is a firefighter and works 24 on 48 off. during his 48 off, he cleans house, takes the kids to and from school and practice. My chidlren LOVE when dad is home. Most of their friends don’t spend much one on one time with their dads, if any. I strongly believe there are not enough male role models for children. A man who can stup down and let the woman shine is rare. My husband is a WONDERFUL father and provider.
I do not believe in the STAT AT HOME DAD. Men are suppose to be the bread winners.
Hey Rich I just want to comment about your comment this morning about guys staying home and take care of the kids. I am a single mother of two girls and I am the sole provider. I work a full-time job, take care of the house, provide them with a roof over their head and everything they need, and I am continuing my education. Believe me it isn’t easy by any means. Their father is a part of their life and helps out but it isn’t the same as having them their all the time. A guy staying home and taking care of the girls I think is more of a man than working full-time and the mom taking care of the kids. We do live in the 20th century and it isn’t old fashioned anymore. The guys can do more today to help take care of the kids then they did back in the days where it was looked down on a man if he wasn’t working and also looked down on women if they worked instead of staying at home and tending to the kids and their husbands every need. I think it would help a lot if every parent had to be a single parent for just one day. It doesn’t matter how much money you have if you can see your kids face light up when they get home from school and you’re at home it is worth a million dollars.
SURE.Some dads like to stay at home but I believe,not having any kids I’TOTALLY want him to have some freedom.
I agree with Rich on this! I could never let my wife provide for our family. I hate the fact that she even has to help with the bills. I just couldn’t let her be the only one to bring in the money. No way!
Rich…no need to be a pig about stay at home dads.
I know a guy that stayed at home w/his twin daughters and then after they were old enough to go to school he went back to work. Some people are just that way…times have changed, and just beca…use the father wants to stay at home w/his children doesn’t mak ehim a lazy bum. Maybe when you have kids you will understand…they are the precious thing that you can possibly dream of… 
You hang in there today while you get ragged on today…lol…. Hugs to all you Morning Mash Up Guys….
Oh and I meant gals’ too…
i would love it if my hubby was able to find a full-time job and i could stay home with the kids. as it is,,i work two jobs,,he works on call,,so some weeks he’ll have a full week,,some he won’t have any work. i appreciate it when the house is clean and kids taken care of ,,this isn’t the 1900′s ,,it doesn’t have to be the man earning the income,,i know your talking about a man’s ego but if a man is secure enough with himself ,,he would welcome the challenge of taking care of the household. now if we could only get them to have the children lol. ummm no that will never happen,,they wouldn’t handle the pain lol
Ask me if I would’ve liked to be a SAHD a couple years ago and I would’ve laughed in your face. I was a corporate exec making 6 figures and living like a playboy. In a 3 month period, I was unemployed, remarried and a SAHD with 5 kids. Was it an easy thing to accept. No, and I was an A-hole about it at times.
My identity was gone. I was isolated, and there was no sense of accomplishment from doing 8 loads of laundry. I grew up in a traditional home where men provide, and women churn out babies. Staying at home with kids was totally contrary to my belief system.
I’ve been a SAHD now for almost 2 years, and it’s been one of the most telling moments of my life in terms of understand myself. I’ve served in the Infantry, and had the biz exec jobs–the type of work that’s supposed to define men, but they are no where near as tough as being a SAHD. No one’s patting me on the back for scrubbing dishes and helping the kids with homework, so I have to did deep and find that security in myself on my own. No one is defined by titles like Vice President or Captain; they’re defined by how they overcome adversity in life.
In the meantime, my wife’s career has taken off, earning her recognition, promotions, bonuses, and a self-confidence that only has aided in our marriage. Would I like to provide more financially? Yes, but right now my current role as a provider extends into providing for my kids’ emotional wellbeing. I provide them a sense of security at home. I provide my wife the freedom to concentrate on her job. It’s not as tangible as dollars, but it’s no less important.
Are there lazy, shiftless dads out their milking it? Sure, but they’re not representative of the number of credible SAHD’s who are doing what’s best for their families. They’re just a lame stereotype for opponents to use in their arguments.
And as a side note, I think there are a lot of men out there who are so vehemently against the idea of SAHD’s because they themselves are already uncomfortable with their role as a father, and they don’t want to take on their current responsibility let alone stay with the kids all day. I was once there.
So, do I care if someone is against SAHD’s? Not really. I’m a man because there’s a job to do in my family, and I’m being relied on to get it done. It’s not glorious, but it’s made me secure enough not to get caught up in the emotions behind the debate.
Funny thing is, through this SAHD experience, I’ve become a writer, which has always been my goal in life, and I’ve written a book about my transition.
Have a good one.
Nicely said Clark!
Rich,
I seriously HATE YOU!!, I can’t even remember the last person I hated!!
I cant even type the story about my “dead beat dad” and his 2 year battle with Cancer and how he is a stay at home dad because im so angry.
Bottom line… I used to listen to you guys every day from 830am till 10am.. and today was the first day I didnt even turn your dumb show on!!! its called respect RICH!!… try giving some to your listners and we might give you some back.
you can start by sending out a personal applogize to everyone who has commented in anger to your dumb ass hill billy remarks.
From:
Your ex-listener
Tyler J
I am good with any parent staying home to care for the family. It says a lot, because they are often giving up so much to do it. I Stay home full time and my hubby goes out to work. Hubby has sincerely said on many occasions how he is grateful to g to work, because staying at home with the kids is a much harder job.
I’m a stay at home dad, and I have been for 5 years. Who says I can’t be a stay at home dad AND make money? My wife is a lawyer and I run several blogs which, believe it or not, actually make some money. I think Rich is pretty small minded to think getting stuck in traffic and dealing with bosses is the way to be a man. I don’t have any bosses, I have complete freedom and I’m still making money all while taking care of two kids. That’s not lazy, that’s smart.
Well said, CK. It’s not always easy to navigate, but I’m glad that we have so many options these days.
So what if Dad wants to stay home and raise the kids. Everyone is always like “Oh Moms do so much when they are home” If Dad wants to stay home and Mom makes enough money for that to happen, let Dad stay home and do the laundry, clean house, cook dinner, get the kids homework done, etc. Especially if they like doing the yard work too. There is nothing lazy about staying at home and taking care of the home. I am finishing up my nursing school for my RN so my husband can stay home!! Rich needs to look at both sides of the coin before he runs his mouth!