As we hurtle through the twenty-first century, gender role reversal is becoming more of a reality and less of a concept. The male as homemaker is challenging the traditional perception of the housewife, with an increasing number of women occupying vital positions at work.

A recent survey of male white collars in Shanghai aged between 28 years and 32 years, with an income of 3,000 yuan to 5,000 yuan, revealed that 70 percent of them preferred to be homemakers. The survey, conducted by CBP Career Consultants, the first company to specialize in career consulting in China, showed that these men accounted for 22 percent, 73 percent, 34 percent and 32 percent in their category in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen respectively.

Bian Bingbin, President of CBP, said that Shanghai was home to the most number of professional women in China who had cars and houses. The survey found that most of these women, especially those involved in IT, insurance or catering, earned substantially more than their husbands. As a result, several of the latter have resigned from their professional duties and set up base at home to take care of their wives and children. Given the fact that working women are spending less time at home, the men are compelled to shoulder the burden of household chores.

A portion of the men surveyed stated that while choosing a partner a stable profession and high income were the major criteria. These men comprised 15 percent, 46 percent, 28 percent and 33 percent in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen respectively. Almost 80 percent of the white collars surveyed in Beijing, in contrast to the other cities, were averse to staying at home, and only 15 percent of them wished to marry self-sufficient partners, fearing that they would lose face if they did. They seemed to consider it a failure on their part if they became homemakers.

"Men in the other three cities pay more attention to the quality of life as compared with those in Beijing, and this reveals a cultural difference between the two," said Bian Bingbin.

Psychologist Liu Jun noted that male homemakers were beneficial to their children, fostering communication and helping to cultivate the children's independence and character. In addition, the men were usually in poor physical and mental health after years of company work. This was, therefore, a good opportunity for them to lighten the pressure and spend more time with the family.

Experts say that working women are occupying an increasingly important position in the economy, which provides them with great opportunities to develop at work, leaving them less time at home. Several couples establish a division of labor, including management of the family, based on their current financial position.

"My work was stable but I had no opportunities for advancement. My wife, however, is an ardent lover of work. We agreed that I would stay at home after our child was born," said 32-year-old Yang Wenhui, who resigned from his job at a magazine.

Yang cooks for the family every day. "I feel that I'm successful when I see her eat voraciously," Yang said proudly.

Yang's life now is devoted mainly to shopping, cooking, cleaning and looking after his daughter. "Household chores are intricate and a big lesson. I need to think about what to cook in order not to repeat myself," Yang said.

Zhou Wei is another full-time homemaker. He quit his job because of the gloomy atmosphere pervading work, and stayed at home for two years. He took time to get used to life at home, but now likes it. He escorts his daughter to school every morning and picks her up in the afternoon, gratified every time she runs up and hugs him. He swims and goes to the gym, and also uses some of his spare time to surf the net. "Now I have more time to show my love for my wife."

"The most important thing for a family is the understanding, respect and trust between the husband and wife," said Wang Yuan, a journalist. "I, as a man, prefer raising my family over working in an office."

Although Zhou Wei is used to his current status as full-time husband and father, there are some, especially the older generation, who would deride him and question his views.

"Both my wife and I believe that we have a happy life, and it doesn't matter what others think," said Zhou.