The new statistics, from the Census Survey of Income and Program Participation, showed that 54 percent of unemployed fathers with a working wife and preschool-age children are primary caregivers, while 17 percent of employed fathers in the same situation fill that role.
Some couples decide that the cost of child care cancels out the income from a lower-wage job, regardless of the recession.
"If I'm making X and my wife is making X plus 10, who do you want making the money?" said Patrick Spillman, 42, of New York, who's the primary caregiver for his 3-year-old daughter. "It's a matter of dollars and cents."
About three years ago, Lance Somerfeld, 38, found there were few resources for fathers like him after he decided to stay at home with his newborn son. He started the NYC Dads Group and watched it grow into 500 men who share ideas for museum trips, classes, play groups and other activities.
Most of the men in the group weren't laid off. Instead, he said, they have wives who are making more money or are further along in their careers.
"I just see dads wanting to be a part of their kids' lives," Somerfeld said.