Not only are the roles of 'married couples' becoming more and more blurred, particularly with the endless debate over same sex marriages, the customary role difference between breadwinner and caregiver has also been challenged. Gone forever are the days when the father-figure was an inaccessible, 'gone to work' person whom the children barely had a chance to interact with and relate to.

Three major factors have created this evolution:

•one-third of American wives have a larger salary than their husbands
•the 'lifetime male employment' is now a thing of the past – in the current recession
•increasing instability in the job market.

In many cases women are now bearing the full responsibility of the financial situation of the family, while the males are taking on the often overwhelming responsibility of having to be the 24x7 care provider. Numbers of men find themselves staying at home and doing toddler duty, while their wives scamper off to the office.

Even in same sex relationships, there is often a strong orientation to distinct masculine and feminine roles. It is becoming more and more necessary in any relationship, that both partners are capable of instantly taking on the other partner's role. For both roles to thrive, they need to be in a constant state of negotiation.

Who takes the role of the breadwinner depends largely on:

• the nation's economic situation
• the couple's economic circumstances
• the cultural background.

Nearly eighty percent of all jobs lost in the worldwide financial crisis have been male held positions, as male dominated industries are hit the severest. Yet, for either partner, the task of attempting to maintain the balance between being both a caregiver and a provider, results in high levels of stress. Perhaps circumstances are now causing the stress to be spread a little more, as more and more couples move towards sharing the roles.

While the initial caregiver is the mother, that can change as early as the newcomer reaching just 6 weeks old, if the mother returns to work, either through personal choice, or in an effort to maintain her job. Either way, the changing roles are of benefit to the children, who get to see more of their father, than was the norm a couple of generations back. No longer is it frowned on for young boys to play with dolls, or young girls to play with trucks.

Celebrating Mother's day (caregiver) and Father's day (provider) may also need to undergo a revolution. Maybe they should be renamed Caregiver and Provider Days, in order to keep up with the current changes.

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Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) providing high school education grants for children who are without hope. A chance to fulfill their dreams at whatever level they chose to. Take a few minutes to check it all out at Win A Resort (http://winaresort.com) Feel free to contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org