I came across a New York Times article (it’s behind the TimesSelect firewall) a while back that reported that men apparently would rather be unemployed and let their wives support them than take a job for which they felt underqualified and for which they would be underpaid.

I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry or punch the wall! 

Excuse me, but isn’t that what a large percentage of women do when they take on the responsibilities of motherhood?

Some of the guys interviewed for the piece would rather let their wives work to support them, for years, if necessary, until they find something “suitable,” dip into the 401(k) or borrow against their home so they can while away the hours on diversions because their free time is worth a lot to them!

To these men, I think we should say shout a collective, “GET A GRIP!”

I don’t mean to sound old-fashioned here, but remember that little thing called the Depression? When people took whatever jobs they could find just to make money? Get off your duffs and start flipping burgers, for goodness sakes. Or, God forbid, how about taking a job in the child care industry or just be Mr. Mom for a while? Then you’ll really appreciate that job you think you’re more qualified for if it comes along.

By the way, here’s a little job hunting tip maybe we can pass along to any guys we know who are feeling this way – potential employers like to see some initiative, and that includes taking some job to be able to pay the bills instead of studying the Weather Channel or trying to write the Great American Novel. Can you say “entrepreneurial?” By the way, I wonder whether these men are the same people complaining about immigrants coming to the United States and taking all our jobs?

 As for free time, when was the last time you had any? I relish that fantasy.  Along with this one!