NZ Herald: Ignore stray-at-home dad propaganda

You may have read an alarming article warning women about the “stray-at-home-dad” effect.

Househusbands, it asserted, are more likely to have affairs because “engaging in infidelity may be a way of re-establishing threatened masculinity”. And because, according to Dr Helen Fisher: “The type of man who chooses to stay at home is biologically wired to have an affair… he will, most likely, be an entrepreneurial type who registers high on the dopamine scale.”

Pretty much the sole redeeming feature of such writing is that it initiates discussion. And whether you’re looking at gay parenthood or gender roles at home, discussion around modern-day models of family life is vital. Precisely because of the stereotypes and biases we see in “research” like this, which is designed expressly to be picked up by the press. Including right here.

This much is clear: As a constant feature of evolution, social change is a given. It is also, often, positive. As a species, were are for the most part growing more tolerant of change, not less. But there will always be those who rally against change. And those that form the vanguard of change will often be the scapegoats of their “studies” and “surveys”; serving as fodder to denigrate and misconstrue.

Read the remainder of the article on the NZ Herald website