Advantages of the Stay-at-Home Dad

Societal norms are continuing to shift these days. More and more fathers are trading in their paychecks to be full-time stay-at-home dads. The reason? They get more fulfillment from raising their children rather than heading off to work.

Estimates today place the number of stay-at-home dads in the United States at nearly 2 million -- a number that has steadily risen and is now the fastest growing family type, according to Christianity Today. The exact number of stay-at-home dads is difficult to pinpoint because in addition to raising the kids, these dads may also work from home or have part-time jobs.

Many families choose this arrangement not out of necessity, but for practicality. Often, Mom's career offers a higher salary or better benefits than Dad's. Dad may also have a personality better suited to raising the children. Therefore, the family puts child care first -- breaking traditional roles.

Studies are finding that children who have increased time with their fathers have numerous advantages, chiefly because of how a father interacts with his kids. One study from the Center for Successful Fathering in Austin, Texas, cites that a father who is an active participant in parenting has children with higher grades, greater ambition, fewer anxiety disorders and a reduced risk of delinquency or teen pregnancy.