Gender role attitudes and characteristics of stay-at-home and employed fathers.

Research on fathers has increased substantially over the last several decades, but research comparing the gender-typed characteristics and gender role attitudes of stayat-home and employed fathers is still in its infancy. Stay-at-home (n 35) and employed (n 49) fathers completed measures on gender-typed characteristics and gender role attitudes. Stay-at-home fathers also rated the importance of various reasons they stayed home. Compared to employed fathers, stay-at-home fathers reported similar levels of traditional feminine and masculine characteristics, but less traditional gender role attitudes. Wanting to be a stay-at-home father was rated the most important reason for staying home. The more important the female partner was in influencing the decision to stay home, the lower the levels of masculine characteristics and the more enjoyment men reported in being a stay-at-home father. Future research should focus on comparisons of paternal involvement in stay-at-home and other fathers, the reasons men decide to become or not to become stay-at-home fathers, and the factors that influence those reasons, such as their partners’ attitudes and experiences with prejudice and discrimination.