The male role model is often vital to a child's stable upbringing, but should a father be 'trading places' with his wife or girlfriend to stay home and look after the children? Is that a fair question to pose in the 21st Century or should men be more accepting of the fact that women work just as much if not more than men in some industry sectors.

If the wife earns more or has a better job, one can see the argument for mum going back to work and dad staying home. Whether it conflicts with a woman's natural advantage of being able to bring up children versus a father's natural instinct to provide is something no doubt the psychologists will argue over.

The main question that surrounds this debate is the record number of men now staying at home. Up from 60,000 in 1997 to 600,000 in the last year. A truly phenomenal rise and one that does need further investigation. Is the resulting increase down to unemployment? choice? positive discrimination in the work place? or just the fact that men in general have had enough of work?

Whilst some may argue women have had it tough for centuries, men are now finding that the workplace is no longer a male only environment. Moreover, that in some instances men are often the minority at work.

Does it really matter? That depends on your culture say some commentators. If you are from Africa, Asia or the Middle East traditionally speaking, men work, women stay home and look after the children. Is this newly adapted society the west has adopted this past decade or more damaging in terms of child well being? Traditionalists may say yes. Although the reality is in the 21st Century men and women work - period.

Ultimately, the most important thing is the child's happiness and well being. Providing both parents are focused on doing just that, then maybe we have moved on as a species.

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