Multi-Generational Study Finds Millennials Want Equality at Work, But Expect Traditional Roles at Home

OMAHA, Neb., April 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Millennials who are progressive when it comes to equality at work still report more traditional ideas about gender roles at home. Nearly two out of three surveyed believe that Dad works and Mom takes care of the home.

Sociologists Joanna Pepin (University of Maryland) and David Cotter (Union College) presented a study, "Trending Towards Traditionalism? Changes in Youths' Gender Ideology," at the 2017 Council on Contemporary Families' Gender and Millennials Symposium, wherein they examined 40 years of surveys taken by American high-school seniors. Almost 58% of respondents agreed that the best kind of family was one in which the man was the outside achiever and the woman took care of the home. Surprisingly, that's an increase of 16% from 1994.

Omaha couple Mike Becker and Kori Reed believe that modern families can succeed in many forms, as long as all members of the family agree. Becker has been the man of the house and a stay-at-home dad to four millennials, two girls and two boys, while Reed advanced in her career as a senior-level corporate executive. The two entered this family arrangement by choice more than twenty years ago.

Now Reed and Becker have written a book of humorous stories about living life in reverse of the norm. ZagZig Parenting: (Mis)Adventures of a Career-Driven Mom and a Stay-At-Home Dad, shares the funny, the painful, and the unique challenges they have encountered along the way.

"The irony is that our children are members of the most-studied millennial generation, and have lived and now openly celebrate diverse ways of living more than we ever were able to," said Mike Becker, "Yet, the family manager role, for the majority of society out there, seems to be reserved for the mom, even in this new, next generation."

"Going against the grain of what people believe a family should look like hasn't been easy. Everybody zigzags through obstacles in life, making adjustments when careers change, kids are active with sports or other activities, or someone gets sick. Every person struggles to manage and balance between work and family," said Reed. "Our intent in sharing stories about our family, written from my perspective as a working mom with commentary from Mike, is to build a social support network—letting families know they are not alone in the parenting chaos. We want to create a safe space to discuss and redefine family roles."

MEDIA: To schedule an exclusive interview with Kori Reed and Mike Becker, contact Ellie Pelto at Concierge Marketing: [email protected] or 402-884-5995.

REVIEW COPIES AVAILABLE: ZagZig Parenting: (Mis)Adventures of a Career-Driven Mom and Stay-At Home Dad: ISBN: 978-0-9970763-1-8, $18.95, 228 pages, paperback. Published by ReedImagine, and distributed by Concierge Marketing, Inc. and available at Amazon.com. In print, eBook, and audiobook at www.ZagZigParenting.com

Reed Imagine, LLC, is a Nebraska-based corporation whose mission is to provide educational products and opportunities, advocacy, and activities for parents and families. The principals speak regionally and nationally on topics ranging from redefining personal success and roles in a non-traditional family to marriage issues related to unconventional gender roles. The products developed by Reed Imagine are geared to encourage conversation, acceptance, and help with household efficiency.

SOURCE Reed Imagine, LLC