How many men would like to opt for stay-at-home status if Life demanded?

The other day I was having a debate with one of my very good friend about stay-at-home men. She pointed out that very few men intend their stay-at-home status to be permanent or even long-term. She would argue that 99% of men did not like to stay at home, even if the wife earned more money than the husband in a household; point to note here is the reason she mentioned was not ego but simply for the fact that they are not used to it. Not used to what? Women were not born with accepting attitude of stay-at-home-while-the man-earned. Women cultivated it for reasons that women were best suited to manage homes and relate better with children. I think what is wrong if men stayed at home when life demanded it. Well, maybe ‘wrong’ is not the word. The increasing necessity or advantage of a two-income home nourishes the expectation of husbands/ fathers getting involved in domestic duties. The unique mix of personalities between a husband and wife if played smart would in fact contribute majorly for mutual respect in a couple.
The thought that, for a man to stay at home to avoid responsibility was wrong always frustrated my inquisitiveness. The unanswered question was where to draw the line that defined when a man is slacking and when he's providing for his family. Do any of the following situations project to be an allowable reason for a responsible family man to stay at home:
1) His wife makes a better salary or has better benefits
2) He's better with the kids than she is
3) He can't find work (whether he's actively seeking it or not)
4) His job allows him to work from home, while her's doesn't

These days, when the lay-offs target men in a more relative number than the women, it is a thought to be pondered upon. I remember once at my work place, a dirty debate sprang when two guys mocked the third guy who argued being happy to be at home if his wife earned better than him. He was poorly ridiculed for going against the Indian society norms placing him in a sorrowful state. In the midst of a tough economy, to meet both financial and parenting demands, a sensible choice for a couple would be to fight cultural trend over ego. I believe that the culture should become more gender-neutral, male/female roles should become less of a determining factor in parenting and work.

But I know for a fact that Indian women of a male dominated country would have to fight for many more years to come.

One thought men can ruminate, is making their daughters/ wives more independent & strong and their sons or themselves more adaptable to fostering their thought process in a gender-neutral manner.

Amma, Ammu, Ammi, Maa, Mom, Mummy :-)

Address her in "any" colloquial adjective..she will respond the same way. Be it Biologically or socially she seems to be perfecting any human role. Life began with opening my eyes and loving my mother's face. Of course i can't remember her expression when i first saw her with my little eyes. But i can lovingly memorize every expression of her's after i overcame what the scientists call the "infantile amnesia". I can't write hard enough to justify how great my mother's love was for me but i can only feel miserable when i am 3000 miles away from her :-(
She loved me at those times when i thought i was least deserved to be loved. I will never forget my school days, when i held her as my shield against my teacher who made me stand on the bench in front of all my classmates, for just being a little more expressive than her in talks ;-) [I was named "chatterbox" of my class and as a punishment for the same promoted to be the Monitor of my class for 4 consecutive years]. Then came the teen days when i could share all my doubts, premonitions, apprehensions, intuitions, all sorts of feelings viz., funny, beautiful, scary, weird, sad, happy ONLY with Her. She would patiently listen till i finish and then ward it all off as something exactly congruent that happened to Her in Her teenage. She gave me advices that made me feel "wow..so it is all normal and i'm supposed to react more matured than my peers to these teenage gestures". I would get a gift for any occassion from my mother. I remember how my mother jumped in joy and announced to everyone around her when i got 1st Rank in my school. She was so proud of me. I was more than happy to see her happiness dance in joy. Truly she deserved my scholarship then. During my college days i started to refrain from telling her everything, as i thought i'm a big girl now. But very soon i came to know that i craved so much for her attention, advices, thoughts; i needed a best friend in my mom. I poured out to her about boys who liked me, who respected me as a very good friend, my teachers who praised me, my college activities: compering, throwball, painting, dumb-charades, fests, dance etc., my confrontations, my hurt feelings, my elated feelings and what not. Oh how i loved her when i saw her patiently listen to my impulsive reactions. She kissed and scolded me at the same time. I began to gain the confidence of drawing my life's targets; she helped me all the way.
I loved her so much and still why did i have to leave her abode of heaven :-( Marriage is so unfair to girls. Today when i clean my kitchen at my home, i remember how much my mother scolded me for keeping it dirty when i ventured out a new dish. When i fold clothes out of my US gadget a "dryer", i wonder how my mom could have only two hands and yet she kept the house spick & span, the clothes ironed and neatly arranged in our wardrobe, our books organized on our shelves, our music CD's, toys, jewellery, accessories all into a classified composition. She would cook my favourite sweet, my sister's favourite curry, my dad's favourite non-veg dish all in one day and yet smile while serving. I'm trying hard to imitate her because my secret desire is to be as adorable as her to my husband & kids ;-)
I am desperate to hear her voice everyday, but i can't afford the distance. I stop myself from calling her when i miss her because if she hears me cry, she will cry too. I secretly kiss her photo and clasp it to my bosom. I am so desperate for one hug from her, but i won't let her know that when i'm not in front of her eyes. I long to be fed by her; I long to sleep on her lap; i want her hand to gently & softly caress my hair locks; oh maa, i know that u miss me as much as i miss you :(
I remember her prayers, but more than that i want to honour the life she has poured into me.
I simply cannot forget my mother, her image is one of the deeply impressed in my heart. I don't want to forget to mention a note of "Thanks" so well deserved: For all the ways you have helped me grow i want to say i love you so much more.