The worst economic crisis of the 21^st century has led to millions of changes throughout the world. Governments are looking at ways to rescue or nationalize some of their largest private companies. Citizens are demanding more aid from their elected leaders. Entire industries are radically adjusting their short- and long-term strategies. And millions upon millions (although not quite as many as Nancy Pelosi misstated) of jobs have been lost. These are the events that change societies.

Although women now make up the majority of college enrollment, that has not made its way to corporate America. That arena is still populated mostly by men. And they are still earning more dollars than their female counterparts. If societies change in times such as these it is worth considerable examination to discover how these events are changing families. Could it lead to a re-emergence (or perhaps larger explosion) of "Mr. Mom"? Personally, I don't like that term. So I'll refer to them as  "stay-at-home dads" from now on.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the 1940's saw the largest proportional rise in female labor during the entire 20^th century. During the Depression, women's employment skyrocketed. They were suddenly able to get jobs because families had to do whatever they could to survive. If that meant a working wife, so be it. Perhaps we will see a similar resurgence today. Millions of men have been laid off in the last year and this presents an interesting opportunity for them to re-examine the role of a stay-at-home Dad.

My wife and I had many long discussions about family income before my son was born. We were a middle-class couple with dual employment and decent paychecks. Her job was a bit more stable than mine, but I was the breadwinner. We needed to decide what would be best for our soon-to-be growing family. Should she be a stay-at-home Mom? Or, because of the stability and insurance offered in her career, should I become a stay-at-home Dad? Or, because of the greater financial security, should we both continue to work?

Decisions such as these are never easy to make, even in the face of obvious answers. Whatever choice is made will entail emotion and concern for the well-being of the child. Understandably so. And when things change long after the decision is made (such as an unexpected layoff), it can be like starting over from scratch. Now you've got a different set of ingredients but need to make the same recipe, or get as close as possible.

The option isn't there for everyone and for a variety of reasons. But I don't believe there has ever been a period in which the notion of man as a primary caregiver has been more socially accepted. And let's face it Dads, women love to watch a guy place with his kid! But seriously, women have worked their way to the top of the corporate ladder. We nearly had our first female President. Most people have no serious concerns when it comes to a working Mom. And rightly so. Other than breastfeeding, there is no basic function for a child that can not be completed by Dad. Strong male role models are just as critical to the well-rounded development of a child as a strong female role model.

If the 20^th century helped usher in an age of female equality in the workforce, perhaps the 21^st century can help bring about an age of male equality at home.

(Please share your comments below.)