Meh,

The real answer is that since, in the vast majority of cases, both parties of the relationship are working, i.e. bringing home the bacon, that both parties should also be the ones taking care of things inside the house. As for children, there are indeed some predetermined roles, but those are determined by biology, not sociology. Childrearing should fall upon both. My understanding about parental leave is that it comes out of the desire to create certain bonds, post-natal. Most governments are not particularly enlightened about this. For example, where I live, I think the rule is that the woman can take up to a year at 2/3rd pay, and the man can take up to 2 weeks, without pay.

so, really we all do what we can, right?

There is a petition people can sign here:

https://secure2.convio.net/npwf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=643

I wonder why the first lady talks about diets so much knowing full well mothers can't stay home and cook properly, but I guess she is out of touch with reality. Eating is not taught at a school, it's taught at home first. But that is another matter.

you are kidding. .right Estelle??

this isn't the age of chauvinism. .its not the role or duty of anyone gender to take care the other..the world has come a long way and we all can stand in our own feet now.. be happy, be independent. .

Not really. You say it should be 50/50 but then you say for children there are some predetermined roles. That would be that women get pregnant, give birth, and breastfeed and the man's role here is what? Doesn't that mean that there should be some equally predetermined roles for the men? Like shouldn't the men work and not the women during the pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding years? If not then we should really have the government back us women up, because of our predetermined roles.
And after all that when women go back to work, just like men, I think men should start paying women for their share of housework that never get's done unless she does it. Again the government could tax men for this service that they don't do. It has been argued that men just can't see dirt, so again predetermined role of women? Good ideas..
Hey, you said 50/50 right?

I'd be okay with it if I got reimbursement and/or a tax break for staying home and cleaning my own house.

But, oh, wait, you meant only for females, didn't you? Dang.

I meant it's good for families, it's good for society. If it's good for women too is that bad?

I did. Clearly, when situations change, so do roles. If a woman is pregnant and in the other situations you note, then, yes, the man needs to step up, and shift the balance of work to be more equitable for both of them. I don't think that 50/50 and some predetermined (mostly biologic) roles are mutually incompatible.

to me, society has done its best to undefined anything and adopt an anything that makes individuals 'happy' attitude

so there are no defined roles

we can barely define a male and a woman anymore as its leaning towards how people 'feel',,,and what a doctor can make them look,,,

for my taste, I believe its best when women nurture and support and men provide and protect

just my opinion

Now I thought in your rules you had to say something nice and agree with the poster. She deactivated. You know you ran her right off.

ID be happy with locking up men who don't provide for their family , men would get much more serious about who they lied down with and women wouldn't be the scapegoat ,,society would be happy that they don't have to spend any precious taxes helping make sure children are provided for and men would be shamed into taking back their role as provider,,,

I already provide for myself, as well as taking care of my property and needs. That's because I don't have another option at this point. However, when my wife enters the equation, does she not become equally responsible?

What if my job couldn't support an entire family (as it currently couldn't)? Do I still get locked up for trying, but failing? Does my wife then have to raise our child on her own, WITHOUT my modest contribution, because what little I gave wasn't enough?
That seems totally fair to all parties concerned.

Or would it make more sense to share responsibility for providing AND housekeeping, since 1) we're both capable of it, 2) we'd probably both be used to it by that point, 3) marriage is a partnership (at least so I've always believed), and that implies an equitable share of work, and 4) it means more income than what I would earn alone, thus presumably making things easier on the whole family.

Does this mean that when my wife becomes pregnant, and we have offspring, I'm going to force my wife to go to work and not take any time off, as well as keep up with her share of the housework? Hell no, and I think that's a ridiculous situation. While she's pregnant, I'll gladly pick up the slack when it comes to housekeeping (sort of like I already do), and if it turns out my job pays better, or offers better benefits, or is otherwise the more rewarding job, then I will keep it regardless of whether she goes back to work sooner or later.
HOWEVER.
I'd expect the same kind of consideration if, for example, I had to temporarily stop working because of a disability, or if we decide her job is more rewarding, and I stay home and take care of the house and children. As long as the work is divvied up fairly between one provider and one home-maker, I'm okay with that kind of "fairness". I'm just not totally sold on the idea that the former HAS to be male, and the latter HAS to be female.

That is not true at all. No one has to agree with anyone else on here, and no one has to say nice things...and no one can run anyone off here.

what "Rights"!
If you make the Choice to have Children,bear the Consequences of that Choice!

Human rights... humans have the right to bear children, without this right there would be no humans... this subject as it affects us all how we treat children, mothers, and fathers in society.

Men are not even happy with the court system and child support deal. This would take care of that...men would just pay taxes instead of child support, of course they could stay or leave the family picture, it's up to them, but it would go towards paid leave for fathers who are present and mothers and their children.

Gender roles may be passe in theory. Now let's talk about reality.. You said raising children, providing financial support, and homemaking are shared responsibilities there's one small problem with that, equality cannot be enforced at home. So, how does it work again?

Wrong again Estelle. Having children is NOT a right it is a choice, and as a choice you deal with the consequences. No one is going to pay you to stay home and have children.

It works like this...Love cannot be forced...If you want a man to share the responsibilities of raising children, providing financial support and keeping a home, breed with someone who loves, trusts and respects you...Breed with someone you love, trust and respect...Breed with a man who has confidence in your ability to do everything you are 'demanding' of him...Breed with someone who is committed to being a husband and father...You act like giving birth is a job that requires compensation...How sad for you and your family...

"Don't ask anyone to do something you wouldn't/couldn't do yourself."

Can't ask for anything more fair than that.

Please, do tell me more about your breeding habits..