In unemployment, financial meltdowns the role of fathers changing

Carol Forsloff - More and more dads are staying at
home not out of choice but because of unemployment, and the changing
role has created new tasks, new decisions and new stresses.


"80% of the layoffs have affected
men.  Some have chosen simply to stop looking for a job and stay home
and be the caregiver.  Others are forced into making that choice. " Attorneys from the Abbott firm outlines this change as a positive.



The role of fathers had been
changing before this but has speeded up even more during a time when
many fathers are out of work.  And lawyers who work with couples, either
through divorce or arbitration meetings and reconciliations, tell us
that fathers are increasingly involved in the decision-making and
care-giving related to children.  Often they get custody in a divorce
because they can demonstrate a primary role, although that still remains
a struggle.



 The idea that mothers alone are
responsible for the bulk of child rearing is changing, and the world is
more accepting of fathers who choose to be more involved.  Society has
benefited from this from the special point of view that fathers provide,
the more play and less coddling to foster independence.



The increase in fathers'
involvement with their children has also resulted in a growing expansion
of co-parenting and joint parenting plans, or even fathers being
awarded custody during establishment of divorce agreements. 



An attorney tells us, "This ensures
the father's contributions are accounted for when deciding what are the
"best interests of the child."