Mr. Mom and the Recession
by socanonymous
The current recession has been dubbed the “he-cession”, referring to the fact that it is predominantly males that are being laid off. The female unemployment rate has been relatively stable in certain industries. A role reversal in some domestic household activities has taken place. The notion of female breadwinners is not a new phenomenon but it does provide for a unique opportunity to closely examine the effects of an economic downturn on changing family structures. Power relations and notions of masculinity in two-parent households are likely to be affected in these transitioning times for families. It is particularly interesting to study these effects now because many households require two-incomes in order to maintain certain lifestyles.
I wonder if downsizing masculinity will create more democracy within families? I suppose the intervening variable of financial strain might make that more of a challenge to achieve in this instance…
Keri