life insurance research and consulting firm, says 61% of men owned life insurance policies in 2010, compared to 57% of women. The average amount of insurance coverage purchased for women is about 69% of that purchased for men. People who skip life insurance coverage often cite "other financial priorities, especially in these bad financial times," says Cheryl Retzloff, senior research director for LIMRA. Married couples are less likely to seek life insurance quotes for wives than for husbands, says Retzloff. In reality, it's important for both parents to have life insurance, especially when you consider how a typical family could be impacted by lost wages if either spouse died. "When we ask households why they buy life insurance, the top two reasons are income replacement and to pay final bills and expenses," she says. Dad trapped by an outdated image Donald N.S. Unger, author of Men Can: The Changing Image and Reality of Fatherhood in America, says there is a good reason why Dad is not more active on the domestic scene. Often both parents are trapped in an outdated concept of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers. "At this point what women really need is for men to be doing more at home," Unger says. "It also means giving territory up, which is psychologically hard. Even if you are overworked, you don't want to give up ground." Although dads are cheaper to replace in terms of household duties, they remain highly important as protectors, providers and creators of stability, says Margaret J. King, director of the Center for Cultural Studies & Analysis in Philadelphia. "Dad is wired to deal with the outside world. The ideal dad deals with threats to our well-being." The right direction Amy McCready, founder of Positiveparentingsolutions.com, a parenting education website, says she sees dads gradually "moving in the right direction" by taking on more duties at home. In the mid-20th century, fathers were expected to provide financially for their families and leave the rest to Mom. "That is not the measure of a successful dad anymore," McCready says. "Now it is, 'What kind of a relationship do you have with your kids? Are you someone your kids want to confide in and hang out with?'" OK, so dads don't always pull their weight around the house. But many dads are exceedingly good at play, the fun part of parenting, stresses Michele Borba, an educational psychologist and contributor to NBC's “Today” show. Dads have a higher tolerance for the disorder children often crave. A big part of a father's job is helping us build good childhood memories while occasionally looking the other way. "What they do in some ways is priceless," Borba says. "It is the tickling and throwing kids up in the air. And they are not so worried about you getting dirty." The Father's Day Index: Dad's worth this year Dad Job - 2010 Earnings & Data BLS occupation used Hours per week/weeks per year BLS Mean hourly wage Annual Dad value Barbecuing Cooks, All Other 3 hrs./52 weeks $11.82 $1,844 Driving Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 9 hrs./52 weeks $11.82 $5,532 Helping with homework Teachers and Instructors, All Other 10 hrs./40 weeks $18.72 $7,488 Family finances Accountants and auditors 0.5 hrs./52 weeks $33.15 $862 Mowing the lawn, landscaping, snow removal Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other 2 hr./52 weeks $13.92 $1,448 Moving furniture Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand 30 mins/month $12.36 $74 Car maintenance Automotive service technicians and mechanics 20 hours a year $18.36 $367 Coaching a team Coaches and scouts 40 hours/year $17.28 $691 Scout leader Recreation Workers 50 hours/year $12.15 $608 Assembly of toys, bookshelves, etc. Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other 30 hours/year $14.92 $448 Pest removal (spiders, gross bugs) Pest control workers 4 hours/year $15.62 $62 Handyman Maintenance and repair workers, general 4 hrs/month $17.61 $845 Plumber Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 30 mins/month $24.21 $145 Total: $20,415 Dad add-ons Dad Job - 2010 Earnings & Data BLS occupation used Hours per week/weeks per year BLS Mean hourly wage Annual Dad value "Back when I was your age" Historians 15 mins/week $27.81 $362 Child allowance distribution Compensation and Benefits Managers 10 mins/week $46.61 $405 Hogging the remote control  Audio and Video Equipment Technicians 10 hours/week $21.38 $11,118 Inspecting Vehicle Damage Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators 10 mins/week $28.94 $251 Little