Stay-at-home fathers have long born the heavy reputation of being incompetent or incapable of being the primary caretaker within a household. Men, it seems, are supposed to be the hunters—the breadwinners, the ones who go out into the wild and bring food to the table.

Since when does equality not extend to dads?

Many people seem to think that a man who plays the feminine role in parenting goes against his own nature. They argue a man who acts as the domestic parental figure is considered unemployable, a lay-about or the epitome of emasculation.

In a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, more than 50 percent of people believe that children are better off if a mother stays at home and is jobless. Inversely, only 8 percent will say the same about fathers.

The findings suggest that most people believe men are inept at parenting, an insulting and judgmental speculation.

More than 70 percent of stay-at-home dads choose their life at home with the kids, according to a study done by Boston College Center for Work and Family in 2012. The men who engage in a domestic lifestyle do so because they want to do so, and not because they are forced into it by circumstance.

In fact, 84 percent of stay-at-home dads said that participating as the active parent in their child’s upbringing gives them “a great deal of happiness,” according to a report by DDB Worldwide. If so many fathers are willing to be a part of their son or daughter’s life, they do not deserve the scorn society inflicts upon them.

Although traditional gender roles may seem to dictate a man’s place and a woman’s place within American society, they are by no means hard and fast guidelines. By enforcing social constructs, we discourage worthy fathers from engaging in the gratification of parenthood to the fullest extent.

The best stay-at-home parents are the ones who wish to be stay-at-home parents, regardless of gender. A child is not shortchanged of an experience or at a disadvantage if the father happens to be the primary caregiver.

As a society, we should allow parents, fathers and mothers alike, to run their households in a manner that works best for them. Each family is different, and we are in no position to make judgment calls on what is considered the ‘superior’ way.

-Michelle Chan is a sophomore animal science major from Phoenix, Ariz. She can be contacted at 335-2290 or by [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the staff of The Daily Evergreen or those of Student Publications.