© 2024 WYPR
WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore WYPF 88.1 FM Frederick WYPO 106.9 FM Ocean City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Who is the Breadwinner?

Pachakutik ../flickr

Who does one consider to be the head of a particular household? Economic circumstances have much to do with that designation. As pointed out Janet Adamy, a century ago, father’s were typically considered to be the head of household. That status often derived from dad’s role as the sole breadwinner.

But as labor force participation began increasing among women in the 1970s and the distribution of spousal earnings narrowed, women acquired more leverage. A paper authored by economists at the University of Maryland and Indiana University suggests that power within the household is shifting once again, but in a rather surprising direction.

The paper concludes that the rise in two-income households and the decline in the number of children couples are having is placing more authority in the hands of children. The average number of children per household fell significantly between 1990 and 2010. The corresponding decline in family size has reduced competition between children for resources from their parents, giving children, and helping to explain why so many of us spend our free time driving them around.  

Anirban Basu, Chariman Chief Executive Officer of Sage Policy Group (SPG), is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading economic consultants. Prior to founding SPG he was Chairman and CEO of Optimal Solutions Group, a company he co-founded and which continues to operate. Anirban has also served as Director of Applied Economics and Senior Economist for RESI, where he used his extensive knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region to support numerous clients in their strategic decision-making processes. Clients have included the Maryland Department of Transportation, St. Paul Companies, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Players Committee and the Martin O'Malley mayoral campaign.