Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions. WHO WORKS? WHO STAYS HOME? Most Americans agree that the workplace and the home are very different from the way they were thirty years ago. The world of work is no longer a man’s world. Between 1970 and 1995, the percentage of women who worked outside the home went from 50 percent to 76 percent: In the year 2000, of the more than 5.5 million married couples in ...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

WHO WORKS? WHO STAYS HOME?

Most Americans agree that the workplace and the home are very different from the way they were thirty years ago. The world of work is no longer a man’s world. Between 1970 and 1995, the percentage of women who worked outside the home went from 50 percent to 76 percent: In the year 2000, of the more than 5.5 million married couples in the United States, 10.5 million women were making more money than their husbands, and 2 million men were stay-at-home dads.

Author, husband, and father Mark Wertman writes about being a stay-at-home dad in his book True Confessions of a Real Mr. Mom. His story will help others who are learning how to live with the changing gender, roles in our society.

Mark and his wife, Georgenes, were a two-income couple, but things changed when their first baby was born. Georgenes wanted to continue her work as a lawyer, but someone needed to stay home to take care of the baby. Georgenes had the higher paying job, so she became the provider. Mark stayed home to raise the children. In his book he tells many stories about his role in the family.

At first, it was difficult to change roles. The Wertman kids often went to Mark first to talk about their problems. Georgenes was jealous of the time the children spent with their father. Mark had some hard times too. People often asked him, ‘When are you going to get a real job?’. Even in the 21st century, society respects the role of provider more than the role of child raiser. Mark found out all about this.

Mark and Georgenes learned that it is very important to talk about their problems. In the beginning, Mark thought Georgenes had the easy job, and Georgenes thought that Mark had it easy. Later they talked it over and discovered that both jobs were difficult and rewarding. Georgenes and Mark agree that talking things over and making decisions together helps their relationship.

The Wertmans are happy with the results of their decision. Their children are ready for a world where men and women can choose their roles. Wertman’s book is entertaining and educational, especially for couples who want to switch roles. As Mark Wertman says "We are society. We make the changes one by one. People have to decide on what’s best for them and their families.”

Why is the workplace no longer a man’s world?