Nice work if you can get it. That's the consensus of fairly affluent, well-educated fathers who stay home full time with their children, according to a pioneering study.

About 159,000 men in the USA are full-time fathers, more than triple the number a decade ago, Census data show. "Just don't call them "Mr. Mom." "They really don't like it," says Aaron Rochlen of the University of Texas-Austin. He spoke at a panel on cutting-edge research about fathers at the American Psychological Association meeting.

Rochlen co-wrote a study of 213 men who became fathers, on average, in their late 30s after such diverse jobs as computer techie, bouncer and soldier. Career-focused wives who could bring home the filet mignon, and an anti-nanny outlook, encouraged their job change. "Their satisfaction and marital happiness were as high as traditional parents," says co-author Ryan McKelley. "They felt confident and good-humored about the challenges."

Many reported being ostracized on the playground and excluded from parent support groups; the men overall had less social support than men living more traditional lives, McKelley says. And they weren't male Martha Stewarts. Many had passionate interests in sports and traditional male pursuits such as fishing and fixing cars. "They don't fit any stereotypes," McKelley says.

Another group that challenges stereotypes is black fathers, says Boston College psychologist Anderson Franklin. Contrary to the view that black fathers are missing in family action, Census data show that one-third of black households include married couples; other studies show that non-resident black fathers, more than any other racial or ethnic group, stay in contact with their children. Better-educated black fathers provide the most financial support, but there's ample evidence of involvement with their children at all income levels, he says: "Black fathers are frustrated with the stereotypes and the fact that the good black dads seem to be invisible to many people."