Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Growing Number of Dads Home with the Kids

Key Shareable Findings

FT_14.06.05_StayHomeDadsCards_1

The number of fathers who stay at home with their children has increased, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of government data. Here are some of the report’s highlights, edited down to tweet length, with links and relevant charts included. This report was written by @DrGMLivingston and edited by @kim_c_parker.

How many stay-at-home fathers are there?

  • The number of fathers who stay at home with their children has nearly doubled since 1989
  • There were 1.1 million stay-at-home fathers in 1989; now the number is 2 million

How do their numbers compare to stay-at-home mothers?

  • Most stay-at-home parents are mothers, but fathers represent a growing share: 16%, up from 10% in 1989
  • Among all stay-at-home parents in the U.S., 16% are fathers, and 84% are mothers
FT_14.06.05_StayHomeDadsCards_2

Why are fathers staying at home?

  • 21% of stay-at-home dads say they’re at home to care for family, up from 5% in 1989
  • Reasons dads stay at home: 23% can’t find a job, 21% to care for home or family, 35% due to illness, disability
  • Biggest share (35%) of stay-at-home fathers are at home due to illness or disability

Who are stay-at-home fathers demographically?

  • On average, stay-at-home fathers worse off financially, less educated than working dads
  • 47% of stay-at-home fathers are living in poverty vs. 8% of working fathers
  • 52% of stay-at-home fathers are white, 20% are Hispanic and 16% are black

What does the public think about fathers staying at home?

  • 51% say kids better off if mother is at home; just 8% say better off if dad is at home
  • 34% say children just as well off if mother works; 76% say the same of fathers
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