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American men are getting jobs formerly regarded as being for women only. No longer content with traditional career choice, men have joined the labor work force to create gender neutral occupations. While the reasoning behind this movement vary from individuals, the basic causes for this trend can be related to three developments: The effect of a certain economic sectors cutting jobs, the need to balance family responsibilities with a spouse, and the need to have income while enjoying ones work.

The first cause of men getting hired into a traditional women's role was one sector of our economy cutting jobs, freeing men from a traditional occupation like engineering. As a result of having to look for work in a different occupation, men acquired the time and freedom to choose a career. Because of the lack of development for jobs in a male dominated field of engineering, men had a choice to pursue jobs that were dominated by females. This allowed men the choice of getting lower paid jobs or equal pay jobs as women; consequently, men acquired education and skills to pursue a career of choice.

Another event was women working full time, resulting in the need to share family responsibilities. Traditionally, women were doing all the household chores while men worked. Now, men find work that will contribute to the family chores and family budget while working full time. So, the job schedule must allow for family responsibilities. This means men are readily accepting employment which allows them to meet these responsibilities.

The final event, which is an old rule, is compassion for work motivates men. Traditionally, men were lead to work a certain field. Consequently, the passion to work was learned and not desired. Men are taking charge of their desires to pursue careers like nursing because they are compassionate about being a nurse.

These three events explain the diversity of our labor work force. The effects are men occupying former roles of women.

Men need to replace income which was lost from a lay off or aversion of an earlier career. As a result, men are taking non-traditional jobs.

One of the biggest effects of these are changes are being felt in the American household. Because so many men and women are working, the household responsibilities like cooking, cleaning and taking care of the kids are shared. As our economy changes, it forces changes to family households. The changes in jobs include effects on the family unit. Because men prioritize the family unit, they are willing to work in traditional female occupations.

As final caveat, men are seeking satisfying, compassionate work which make them feel good at the end of the day. This means working in occupations which men may not have considered in the past.