Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Nov 16, 2009 10:00 am US/Central
Laid-Off Dads Find Stay-At-Home Role Hard To Leave
MINNEAPOLIS (CBS) ―
-
-
As a machinist Juste Debout applied to as many jobs as he could find, with no luck. He's been a stay-at-home dad with two daughters since.
CBS
In this new economy as the recession seems to be easing, some men and women in Minnesota are getting back to work.
For fathers, after spending some time as stay-at-home dads the decision to head back hasn't exactly been easy, reports CBS station WCCO-TV.
The last year hasn't gone the way Juste Debout had planned.
"The end of January, that's when my supervisor let me know they'd have to let me go," he said.
The Debouts were expecting their second daughter in a few months and didn't know how they'd be able to get by on only one salary. Liz Debout works full-time for a title company.
As a machinist Juste applied to as many jobs as he could find, with no luck. He's been a stay-at-home dad with two daughters since.
"Every three hours she has to be fed. I have to check diapers. It was quite a new experience for me," he said.
The Debouts aren't alone. While the numbers haven't been counted from this recession, during the tough times of 1991, 22 percent of dads with young children became primary caregivers.
Justin McCarthy has linked fathers for years through Minnesota Dads At Home. Fathers can talk on the discussion group online and they can form play groups to meet.
McCarthy's been around to raise his three children since 2001. He's heard from dads who've been laid off and decided not to go back to work.
"A lot of people, I think, think that two incomes are a necessity but I think a lot of people find out that they can manage on one income and take care of the kids at the same time," McCarthy said.
Juste's old boss has been calling and it sounds like he'll be working soon. It's been a year he didn't plan, but now won't take back.
"I'm very proud of him, very proud of him," Liz said.
The U.S. Census Bureau says the number of stay-at-home fathers rose almost 50 percent from 2003 to 2006. Stay-at-home moms outnumber dads by about 30 to 1.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Shocking Celebrity Suicides
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments