Aaron Gouveia, editor of Dads Good, appeared on the BBC World Service’s Newshour today to discuss “The Breadwinner”. With new statistics showing that four in 10 women in the United Kingdom have become the principal earners in their households, they brought Aaron in to discuss how he dealt with earning less than his wife and about the transition he’s currently making into breadwinner status. As he writes about switching jobs:
The first thought that popped into my mind was “THANK GOD I’M MAKING MORE MONEY THAN MY WIFE!”
And while my second thought was what a douchebag I am for thinking the first thing, there was no denying that’s what was in my head. I felt a surge of pride, like FINALLY I was a man. A real man. A real man who supports his wife and child with a paycheck, like all real men are supposed to.
He told Newshour:
I tell everybody that if you’re a stay-at-home dad you’re doing something far more valuable than earning a paycheck. But, like I said, for me personally it really hit home when I started earning more than my wife. I think it hits a lot of guys. They don’t realize how important it is until they’re in the situation.
Listen to the full interview here (fast forward to the 26:50 mark).