On occasion, there are a few female politicians who have listed their occupations as housewife on their political resume. But, this is the first time I’ve seen “House husband” or it’s equivalent “Stay-at-home dad” for a candidate who is seeking office.
Of course, as written in the Aberdeen American News this AM, it had to be Cory Heidelberger who is running for the District 3 State Senate seat.
You don’t hear a lot about non-traditional “stay-at-home dads” in South Dakota. I’m quite sure Cory is be the first one to run for the legislature. It isn’t without controversy, as there are some who recommend against stay-at-home dads, as noted in this recent article in Time Magazine:
Research suggests the penalty may even be greater for men who temporarily exit the workforce. One study found that dads who left work for even a short period of time to cater to domestic matters earned lower evaluations and more negative performance ratings at work than women who opted out.
Single-income families are also at a higher risk of financial collapse, as one might guess. Researchers at Hope College and Cornell University found that, “Not only are two wages often necessary to adequately provide for the needs of most families, dual-earner couples are less economically vulnerable than single-earner families, for whom a layoff can mean financial collapse.”
A single-income household can also result in more stress for her. As it stands, wives who earn more admit to feeling more pressure to “make it all work,” especially when it comes to the family’s finances.
But, if his wife can support their family on her pastor’s salary, I suppose that’s between husband and wife.
Politically, it brings up an interesting point, given that it will pit house husband Heidelberger up against a long-time Aberdeen businessman, Al Novstrup, who owned a computer business before he became owner of Thunder Road in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls.
Novstrup is employer who contributes to the tax base of two communities, and has experience meeting a budget, paying sales and other commercial taxes, hiring & firing employees, etc.
The question is, who’s skill set is going to be more appealing to the voters.
As a Republican who would never, ever want Cory Heidelberger in a position to help set public policy in this state, I’m disappointed in this post. There’s plenty about Cory to attack without questioning his contribution to his community because he’s a stay-at-home dad. If that’s what is best for his family’s situation, good for him! That shouldnt open him up to questions about whether he’s qualified for public service (there’s plenty else about Cory to question).
If you were to write this same post about a stay-at-home mom you would rightly be verbally tarred and feathered. Shouldn’t be any different because it is a dad, even if it is a dad that most of us despise.
Please point out which sentence in the post was an attack? I asked a question regarding opinions towards a candidate with a non-traditional role.
You’ve questioned Mr. Heidelberger’s “contribution” to the community because he is a stay-at-home dad. You seem to conclude that business owners are more valuable to a community than a stay-at-home-parent. I agree with the above comment that this post is disappointing.
The fact that you felt this was even necessary to post is the attack. By merely writing this post you are insuating that what Al Novstrup does for a living is better than what Cory Heidelberger does. That’s ridiculous and you are above that, Pat.
And I know you’re neither dumb nor naive so you know exactly what I (and all the others who have agreed) am saying.
What an absolute cop-out, Pat. “Just asking questions” is such a low brow way of taking a shot while not having the temerity to own it.
I agree 100% with this post. While I would never vote for Cory Heidelberger I too am disappointed with the discussion in this post. As working mom with a husband that stays home in the summers with his children, I find it highly offensive. Keep the discussion where it belongs..
Wasn’t Kristi Noem a stay at home mom? Hasn’t Brian been the primary person at home for their kids since she went to DC?
I applaud stay at home parents.
My understanding is that Bryon owns an insurance agency. So, yes he is the primary person at home when she is in DC, but I don’t think he’s a stay-at-home dad.
Eh…who cares about his stay at home status. Good for him in fact. It wont make him any better or any less of a legislator.
His policies are what I am most worried about.
EXACTLY
And I’ll raise my beer for the privilege of being a stay-at-home dad . . . even though the court has taken my kids away.
I often disagree with War College posts, but believe Pat has done some good work over the years — especially his analysis of legislative races from a couple months back.
This post isn’t good work, not by any measure. I will be the first to admit Cory is quirky, but this snark-filled post is textbook cheap-shot. You can and have done better.
I am surprised boy this post. I would never vote for Cory if I were in his district because of his policies, but a stay-at-home parent, whether mom or dad, is doing what they deem best for their family, and if they can meet their financial obligations on one salary, then I applaud them. I think one stay-at-home parent is best for the kids, but that is my opinion and I would never criticize parents who both choose to work. I could almost call this post sexist, but I hate that word. Anyway, more power to Cory for taking on the tasks and joys of stay-at-home parent; even if I can’t abide his policies.
I applaud all those defending stay at home dads. I just wish we could get a little of this outrage when it comes to the non-stop belittling, insulting, and demeaning of stay at home moms that has gone on gleefully for the past 40 years or so.
Every opportunity I get, I applaud the stay at home moms. They are around to care for their kids and to teach and guide them. Not that working moms don’t love their kids but having the parent present is great for the child. Some moms are just fortunate to be able to stay at home.
I would just as upset about a post like this about stay-at-home moms. I think they should be commended and supported in any way possible and we should never question their contributions to their family and community.
Maybe the stay at home dad part was stressed too much, but what I got from Pat’s post was that Al Novstrup, because of his ownership experiences, has far more knowledge on what it takes to run to run a business. And small business is what employs the vast majority of American workers, giving them jobs and a paycheck so they can support their families. Cory does not have this knowledge, maybe the explains some of his very bad policies. The reference to Kristi Noem being a stay at home mom is misleading. She had a lot of farming experience, was on the board of the SD Soybean Growers, and had businesses that she operated. I think the post was justified.
You just made the case, above the belt. It was easy and you didn’t even have to insult stay at home dads (or moms) for that matter.
You kicked a hornet’s nest with this post and all its insinuations. You should do the classy thing and apologize.