---
"title": "Key Shareable Findings"
"description": "The number of fathers who stay at home with their children has increased, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of government data. Here are some of the report’s highlights, edited down to tweet length, with links and relevant charts included. This report was written by @DrGMLivingston and edited by @kim_c_parker. How many stay-at-home fathers are there? How do […]"
"date": "2014-06-05"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Gretchen Livingston"
    "job_title": "Former Senior Researcher"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/gretchen-livingston/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/social-trends/2014/06/05/stay-at-home-fathers-tweet-sheet/"
"categories":
  - "Family & Relationships"
  - "Household Structure & Family Roles"
  - "Motherhood & Fatherhood"
  - "Parenthood"
---

# Key Shareable Findings

[![FT_14.06.05_StayHomeDadsCards_1](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/06/FT_14.06.05_StayHomeDadsCards_1.png?w=560){.aligncenter width=400}](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/social-trends/2014/06/05/stay-at-home-fathers-tweet-sheet/ft_14-06-05_stayhomedadscards_1-png/)

The number of fathers who stay at home with their children has increased, according to a [Pew Research Center analysis of government data](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/social-trends/2014/06/05/growing-number-of-dads-home-with-the-kids/). Here are some of the report’s highlights, edited down to tweet length, with links and relevant charts included. This report was written by [@DrGMLivingston](https://twitter.com/DrGMLivingston) and edited by [@kim\_c\_parker](https://twitter.com/kim_c_parker).

**How many stay-at-home fathers are there?**

- The number of fathers who stay at home with their children has nearly doubled since 1989
- There were 1.1 million stay-at-home fathers in 1989; now the number is 2 million

**How do their numbers compare to stay-at-home mothers?**

- Most stay-at-home parents are mothers, but fathers represent a growing share: 16%, up from 10% in 1989
- Among all stay-at-home parents in the U.S., 16% are fathers, and 84% are mothers

[![FT_14.06.05_StayHomeDadsCards_2](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2014/06/FT_14.06.05_StayHomeDadsCards_21.png?w=560){.aligncenter width=400}](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/social-trends/2014/06/05/stay-at-home-fathers-tweet-sheet/ft_14-06-05_stayhomedadscards_21-png/)

**Why are fathers staying at home?**

- 21% of stay-at-home dads say they’re at home to care for family, up from 5% in 1989
- Reasons dads stay at home: 23% can’t find a job, 21% to care for home or family, 35% due to illness, disability
- Biggest share (35%) of stay-at-home fathers are at home due to illness or disability

**Who are stay-at-home fathers demographically?**

- On average, stay-at-home fathers worse off financially, less educated than working dads
- 47% of stay-at-home fathers are living in poverty vs. 8% of working fathers
- 52% of stay-at-home fathers are white, 20% are Hispanic and 16% are black

**What does the public think about fathers staying at home?**

- 51% say kids better off if mother is at home; just 8% say better off if dad is at home
- 34% say children just as well off if mother works; 76% say the same of fathers