From Tradition to Transition: A Socio Economic Review of Stay at Home Males and Breadwinning Females in Contemporary Society

Abstract

The traditional male‑breadwinner and female‑homemaker family model, deeply embedded in patriarchal social structures, is undergoing significant transformation across contemporary societies. This narrative review synthesizes interdisciplinary literature to examine the socio‑economic drivers and consequences of the rise of stay‑at‑home males and breadwinning females. Guided by Bourdieu’s Social Reproduction Theory and Gender Role Theory, the review analyzes changes at macro (economic, educational, and policy), meso (family and workplace), and micro (individual identity and psychological well‑being) levels. A cross‑cultural perspective contrasts institutionalized egalitarian models in Nordic countries with contexts such as Punjab, Pakistan, where economic necessity increasingly challenges entrenched gender norms. The review identifies a central paradox: economic pressures accelerate role transitions, but cultural and institutional adaptation lags behind, producing persistent inequalities such as the motherhood penalty and societal stigma toward caregiving men. The paper concludes by highlighting critical research gaps and emphasizing the need for coordinated policy and cultural interventions.