This generation of fathers is more involved in child care than ever. NEWSWEEK’s Brian Braiker spent a year at home with his daughter. His report from the front…

In the last decade, the number of stay-at-home dads has tripled. “There’s been a fascinating cultural shift,” says Glen Palm, professor of family studies at Minnesota’s St. Cloud State University. “Fathers today put much more focus on nurturing and caring for their kids than on the traditional breadwinner role.” And they’re willing to fight for it: since the mid-1990s, the number of men and women suing their employers for family leave has soared 300 percent. Men make up a growing segment of that group—11 percent, compared with 5 percent a decade ago. Why take such a risk? A survey released earlier this year by Minnesota’s Department for Families and Children’s Services shows that men consider child care to be far more important than a handsome paycheck. Out of 600 dads surveyed, a majority said their most important role was to “show love and affection” to kids. “Safety and protection” came next, “moral guidance,” “tak[ing] time to play” and “teaching and encouraging.” “Financial care” finished last…

Source: Newsweek
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21047651/site/newsweek/