Amid recession, an uptick in wives outearning their husbands
Since the recession 38% of women are making more income than their husbands which is up 3% since 2008. In families where the husband is not set back (laid off) 28% of women are making more. The article contributes this to the recession and set back of men in their jobs as well as the overall advancement of women in the work place. Less than a century ago, almost all wives stayed at home to care for the family. I'd say the wives' roles have significantly changed and continually doing so.
4 comments:
Those statistics are true, about men losing more jobs, because the manufacturing sector of the American economy was hit hard by the recession.
What you say about women's role in society changing from care-focused to career-focused is true for some women, but others have remained at home. Also, there is more of a need for women to work now because of the rise in the cost of living since the beginning of the 20th century that makes their labor necessary to meet middle class expectations.
Another thing is that taking care of the children is not an easy or useless task. It is important to socialize children and prepare them for society, among many other things. You know that but the way it was phrased seemed to portray it as lesser than an actual job, which it most certainly is not.
I agree with Colin that the big labor cutting in manufacturing industry could be the main reason of this situation.
Besides that, I think the rate of employed in women is higher than in men to begin with. With still most of women stay at home or do part time job, the ones who is working should be comparatively more talented and fitting for the job.
I think this article is interesting. The phenomenon happened during the recession are studied from various angles. I agree that the unemployment rate for men is higher could be a result of the weak manufacturing market. Moreover, as women who choose to work were already experienced a relatively higher competition with men(there is still a bias when women competed a same jobs with men). That is, women who got a job probably are more competitive compared to men who applied for the same job. As a result, they are not laid off during the recession. In a word, the reasons could be many, and the research is not necessarily proving anything. Overall, the topic is somehow inspiring.
I agree with the comments, but I also think employers are looking to hire women. Whether it be to meet status quo or what not, employers may also look to hire women for statistics.
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