Did we trap ourselves into needing two incomes? Did changes in the 1960s change the American family forever – not necessarily for the better. I have my theory.
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Richard Quinn | Oct 16, 2023
DOES THE RISE IN dual-income families, which started in the 1960s, mean that today it’s almost a necessity for both spouses to work? In my opinion, absolutely.
Our first child was born in 1970. That was the last time my wife was employed, apart from a brief part-time job when our youngest was in high school. But we’re the exception. Over the past 40 years, the number of couples where both have jobs has soared from about half to 70%, according to the Brookings Institution. Among families with children at home, the percentage is a bit lower at 63%.
The trend toward working wives began taking off around 1968 as younger, more educated women entered the workforce. My wife and I married in 1968. But there was never any discussion of my wife getting a job once we had a family. She had no desire for a career. My mother wasn’t employed, nor were my grandmothers.
Today, it’s a different story. I read articles about working couples balancing work and family, including their struggles to pay for child care and to carve out quality time with their children. It strikes me as sad that families suffer such stress, financially and otherwise.
Still, for most American families, two incomes are a necessity. There are many reasons both spouses work, from the desire for a career to needing the money. For me, it’s not a matter of right or wrong. But I think we should acknowledge the impact. What fascinates me: the issue of paying the bills. How did we reach the point where two incomes have become a financial necessity?
HumbleDollar
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Growing up in The Bronx (NYC), born in 1947, both my parents needed to work. Most of my friends in the ‘hood had two working parents. There was the exception of two families. One of which owned a private vending machine route.
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The change in America since the early 60s has been like night and day. I’m no expert in all the changes although I lived and worked through them. I do know wages haven’t kept up for the middle and the type of work is white collar now instead of blue collar. After the army, I had several jobs that no woman would be hired for unless she could lift from 20-80 pounds all day with no air conditioning and/or use a cutting torch and toss scrap metal around. Nowadays it is pretty much push button and computer screens.
The problem now is one ordinary pay check won’t make a mortgage and buy groceries and health insurance and transportation. If your salary is 200k and above you can be a one worker household. A 60k income leaves a lot to be desired.
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The good old days. Make America Great Again. In the 50s and 60s most families I knew were stay at home moms, and it often didn’t bode well for the women.
“I make the money, I make the rules.” I’ve seen horror stories of abusive husbands. Physical or mental abuse, or both. Silver lining for me, I ended up with a wonderful wife because her ex couldn’t control himself. (She was working when I met her, and stayed working up to retirement.)
You’ve come a long way, baby.
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