[DominikR]

> If you are independently wealthy, sure. Otherwise, IME, you are considered a failure for not being able to provide for your family.

Even then I'd say that many men would face thinly veiled criticism or even ridicule behind their backs.

[ericd]

That's a problem with our culture, then, because early retirement (in the sense that you work on whatever you want irrespective of money and spend more time with your children) can be much more fulfilling than the vast majority of office jobs. Financial independence should be a goal of everyone's.