Well, my older generation (and me) were like your father. I hoped for a wife that took care of the home while I worked and provided. These days, who knows. I think that these changes are okay as long as both parties agree but they do not weather well for raising a family. Big difference.
These days, I really think that it is all about themselves, a bit selfish, looking for goods, little regards for feelings of their spouse. Things have really deteriorated to me, and it actually started a couple decades back.
Too many men and women met mid-life crises and became somebody else trying to regain youth I guess. Anyway, it seems to have expanded into today with mid-life being about 25 instead of 55. Don’t really know what to blame it on but it certainly changed our history and outlook.
To be clear, I agree with you that those traditional roles in a marriage work well. But most of the men in my generation disagree. Again, though, there are exceptions to the rule.
When my husband and I got married in 1996, I worked for a few years. It didn’t work for us. I was trying to do everything, and I found myself being run ragged...I was bad-tempered because I was so exhausted. I’m a good cook, but I rarely put my skills to use because I had no time or energy left...it was always carry-out or eating out. Everything & everyone suffered.
My husband said “enough” and I quit.
My in-laws didn’t really approve of our decision. The women in his family tend to be career women. My sister-in-law, whom I love and with whom I share a great friendship, said to me, “What kind of identity can you have without your job?” My response was, “If your job is your only identity, that’s a problem.”