Materialism vs. Full-Time Child Rearing: The Battle Rages On

I was ready to let this one go, until I started reading the comments posted in the forum section at ABC News. Last night, ABC New’s Nightline ran a story on stay-at-home-dads. While the structure and context of the story is still the same old stereotype, I appreciate the exposure. Our friend RebelDad has some thoughts on this as well. Visit his latest post.

While reviewing the forum discussions on last night’s show I came across the post below:

ALPHA FEMALE AND BETA MALE REPORT SILLY

Posted: Dec 21, 2006 11:57 PM

This report is ridiculous because it is so unrepresentative of a vast majority of Americans. Who are your trying to reach with this? Only a small number of people in this country have the financial freedom to make this choice, yet you take as your an example as your example a couple who live in a huge Manhattan apartment, Manhattan, where the wife is a National TV anchor. If one person makes enough money to support the entire family, you can do this, but this report only speaks to a small number of real Americans who need two paychecks to get by.

This is my reply post:

Re: Re: ALPHA FEMALE AND BETA MALE REPORT SILLY

Posted by: LONGISLANDDAD

Posted: Dec 22, 2006 11:57 AM

As a New York Stay-At-Home-Dad for almost four years, I can tell you that your comment is far from the truth. You speak of "real" Americans who need two paychecks to "survive.” Let's look at what that means; two cars, large mortgage, all the new electronic toys, dining out, how could you ever live without these things? Well when you put your children before materialism it's easy. My wife and I live on a very average income with two young children. No one goes hungry, we live in a nice house, and I even have a big screen HDTV. I can show you that the small number of people you talk about who "can" make this choice is nonsense! It's just that people aren't willing to make selfless sacrifices, not even for their children. Now that's SAD!

P.S. They are asking for SAHD's in the New York area to appear on a follow-up show. I immediately signed-up, and will wait for the phone to ring.